Harmony in Diversity: Learning from Filipino Migrants’ Experiences

In recent years, demographic changes and disparity within Asia as well as an ever more connected world have sparked an increase in labor migration and the issues that accompany it. In pursuit of creating a more inclusive society in Asia, SPF Asia Peace Initiatives Department added migrant labor issues as a point of focus in 2018. As part of this effort, we support activities that strengthen mutual cooperation within the foreign community, as we believe that the communities affected play a significant role in addressing various issues faced by migrants in Japan, such as health care and children's education.

As part of our work, SPF has published a special handbook "Bridging the Gap " this year in partnership with KAKEHASHI (https://kakehashi-ph.jp/), a Filipino and Japanese community in Japan that supports Filipino migrants. KAKEHASHI continues to work with Filipino communities all over Japan to enhance the quality of life of migrants from the Philippines. 

This is a symposium to raise awareness and knowledge of the current situation of migrants in Japan and raise awareness to multi-cultural coexistence. By sharing information on policies that affect migrants in such areas as healthcare, education, and employment, organizations and associations can come up with minimum standards to better serve the migrants' needs at the municipal and prefectural levels. 

We are extremely grateful for your support of KAKEHASHI and its projects, and hope you will join us in commemorating International Migrants’ Day which falls on the same day.