School Girl Makes Japan Uneasy(not what you think)

[BO-SENSEI]

http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/08/tokyodispatch-japan-immigration-markets-schoolgirl.html

Japan's immigration gatekeepers might do well to consider their population predicament.

Born in a Tokyo suburb, Noriko Calderon chatters in Japanese and at 13 looks like any other sailor-uniformed Japanese schoolgirl. To Japan's immigrations officials, however, Noriko and her alien family represents the thin edge of a wedge that threatens Japan with foreign hordes.

That explains why Japan's gatekeepers have left her a tough choice: Leave home and travel to the Philippines with her parents, who were nabbed after living illegally in Japan for 16 years. Or, abandon her folks and stay alone on a temporary visa until she finishes school. Noriko has until Monday to decide, otherwise immigration officials will throw the whole family out.

A closed country ruled by samurai lords until American warships forced it to open up, Japan has never fully overcome its awkward relationship with the rest of the world. The prolifigate use of "international" in business jargon, company logos or building names attests to a keen Japanese need to be seen as a global player. Yet many still buy into the idea that they are too apart, or too unique for any non-Japanese to really fathom them. Others who are more extreme pride themselves on keeping the Japanese "race" pure so they avoid the social strains that multiracial communities must deal with.

As the existence of Noriko suggests, the reality is different. Though a mere 2% of Japan's population is foreign-born, compared with one in ten in the American melting pot, foreign communities have established themselves among their Japanese hosts. How many illegal immigrants there are nobody knows exactly. The nation's 14,000 miles of coastline offers ample choice of secluded beaches for water-borne migrants to slip in.

Though Japan's rulers are loath to admit it, the Japanese would miss foreigners if they packed their bags and left. Japan's premier company, Toyota Motor, would struggle to build its cars without them. A tenth of the workforce in Toyota City, a former textile town in central Japan that is the automotive giant's base, is non-Japanese, mostly Brazilian or Chinese. Working in factories supplying the parts and components that Toyota screws and snaps together to build its cars, they help keep the "Detroit of the East" humming.

Although that hum has grown fainter as the global recession bites, the need for more foreign hands is growing. The reason is that the Japanese are dying out. Japan's population has started to contract and by 2030 there will be 10 million fewer people. Its workforce will shed more than half a million people a year as baby boomers head into retirement and start spending taxes rather than paying them.

Though this demographic crisis is unfolding, Japan's political leaders rarely suggest the obvious solution of importing foreigners to keep its economy ticking over. Instead, they browbeat women to have more babies. Others enthuse about a technological utopia of automation that will keep Japan foreigner free. After all, they figure, better to have granny nursed in the steely embrace of a robot than by the warm hands of a Filipino nurse.

Though youthful Noriko is just what Japan needs, she is, it seems, not worth keeping around. Having exhausted all legal avenues to win permission to stay together in Japan, there is one last sliver of hope for the desperate family. The office of the United Nations's High Commissioner for Human Rights has made an "emergency inquiry" to Japan regarding the girl's case.

Appeals to compassion may not have worked, but questioning Japan's standing in the international community may.

[AssKissinger]

Fuck that. Her parents are illegals and should rightfully be removed from the country. If Japan is more important to her than her family I'm sure she can find some liberal Japanese family that will take her in. She's in a tight spot because of her criminal parents not because of the Japanese government.

[Cortana]

Yeah.. it's a nice story and all, but she's not a legal citizen under Japanese law. Whether she grew up there or not.

Kind of wish it weren't so easy to get US citizenship just by being born here. Would stop the 'anchor baby' problem.

[Hawaiibadboy]

When this massive birthrate dip non-enters the workforce non-Japanese will be sooooo necessary for this countries economic export based survival.


This story is like talking about the bad makeup on granny at her wake. Is there any point?? It's too late.

[BO-SENSEI]

It has all the same feelings of "Ghost in the Shell," major population of cybornetic organisms and technology controlled everything, not to mention the massively pissed off refugee population that was treated worse than scum.

[baka tono]

Its not the government`s fault the parents dont have proper visas its the parents own damn fault! Visas dont magically apply for themselves.

[Willotree]

None of the above posts are what I expected to see. Make of that what you will.

[nottu]

[Iraira]

This article is stupid, and the added bolding indicates the poster is a moron. More of the same US driven globalist group-think certain and incorrigible in the view that the only future Japan can have must be US style immigration to support its economic machine. Go back to Cleveland and whine.

Dude, that's so uncalled for. I've been to Cleveland...lucky to have made it out alive.

[bolt_krank]

I don't think she's being victimised. She should be lucky that her family got away with being their illegally for so long. The writers biased tone also makes it a bit harder to digest.

[xenomorph42]

This article is stupid, and the added bolding indicates the poster is a moron. More of the same US driven globalist group-think certain and incorrigible in the view that the only future Japan can have must be US style immigration to support its economic machine. Go back to Cleveland and whine.

How absurd, what mindless rhetoric!! So by your logic, the US should have an "open door policy" to let anyone stay regardless if they break the law or not?? How ridiculous is that?! This is another reason as to why there is out of control chaos in places like L.A, Vegas, Arizona and Texas with illegal aliens pouring into the country, out of control, no oversight, no accountability, both political parties dropped the ball on this Rep. want the cheap labor and the Dems. want to increase their political power base all this political bickering and power struggle has been, putting a huge strain on the economy and other resources. I'm all for "LEGAL immigration, which I do think is vital and important for the country to prosper and grow on many levels, but when you break the law, cut ahead, avoid paying taxes and trying to get a "Free ride" doesn't cut it. I feel sorry for the girl, it's not her fault. The parents are solely to blame for putting their daughter in this difficult situation and position, end of story! Living in ANY foreign country is NOT a constitutional right, especially when you break the law! Every country has the right to protect their sovereignty. If you can't understand that, You are a serious "kool-aid" drinker!

[Western All Stars]

Why does every f#cking article about Japan from Western media have to mention samurai, ninjas, or (non-existent) robots that take care of babies? And usually two of those 3. How stupid would it look if every article about Europe always put things in terms of the Knights of the Round Table.

[nottu]

[BO-SENSEI]

[Greji]

[nottu]

[GomiGirl]

In this debate, I have always wondered why nobody ever talks about improving the working conditions and career opportunities for women in Japan. It seems there is a huge untapped resource as most women give up work when they get married as jobs for women are poorly paid and give little satisfaction. Women are not encouraged to think of careers outside the home.

To change this has huge cultural implications but to me it just seems logical.

[xenomorph42]

I can see by the way I wrote it, it could be misunderstood.
So here it is again-
This article is stupid, and the added bolding indicates the poster is a moron with more of the same US driven globalist group-think certain and incorrigible in the view that the only future Japan can have must be US style immigration to support its economic machine. Go back to Cleveland and whine.

Understood, but I am just pissed off that people think that it is a "God given right" to relocate and to settle down anywhere they please. We need compassion and we need to be fair and tolerant, but when you try to abuse the system or take advantage(as they are clearly doing)you have to draw the line somewhere.
I want to clarify my statement from earlier. I think the parents are responsible and clearly at fault for putting themselves, not to mention their daughter in a very serious dilemma. Maybe, the J-govt. should grant her family temp. stay until she is finished with her schooling, I mean, another 3 or 4 years isn't going to make THAT much of a difference, right? I'm not quite sure if splitting up the family is the best idea? Does the girl have Japanese citizenship?That would be interesting to find out.
If so, then she has the legal right to stay and can't be thrown out.

[xenomorph42]

In this debate, I have always wondered why nobody ever talks about improving the working conditions and career opportunities for women in Japan. It seems there is a huge untapped resource as most women give up work when they get married as jobs for women are poorly paid and give little satisfaction. Women are not encouraged to think of careers outside the home.

To change this has huge cultural implications but to me it just seems logical.

Good point, I agree.

[BO-SENSEI]

The major argument against letting foreigners in Japan would that it would destroy Japanese culture, but what could more foreigners do that they haven't done themselves. Its not like there aren't Western type malls and kids wearing western clothing and listening to American music. Its not like we are going to force them to shake hands instead of bowing, tear down there shrines, and chop down their cherry trees.
For most of the foreigners that come here, they are already interested in Japanese culture, possibly more than some Japanese people.

I am really glad this sparked some coversation, albeit some jackass who thinks i am from Cleveland.

[Greji]

The major argument against letting foreigners in Japan would that it would destroy Japanese culture....

If you have some fluency in the language, I would recommend you listen to how the J-people discuss themselves and the terms they use. Then compare it with the terms and manner in which they discuss FG's. I think you will find that it doesn't have a fucking thing to do with culture. I've been in country damn near all day now and can probably count the number of references I've heard to FG's as an actual threat to culture. Normally, we're not given the credit to be able to understand and appreciate the culture, therefore, FG's are generally perceived as no cultural threat whatsoever. It is the R thing to the gills.

For most of the foreigners that come here, they are already interested in Japanese culture, possibly more than some Japanese people.

That again is a bit general. There are tons of reasons to come to, or stay in Japan, YBF comes to mind as the sacred writ, but where I think you are viewing this from an honest, appreciative view, I have to say that for ever student of the culture that you can show me, I can show you five swinging dicks on barstools, that are only interested in the next pint and the next moose through the door. Sad probably, but true.

[xenomorph42]

I am really glad this sparked some coversation, albeit some jackass who thinks i am from Cleveland.

You're not from Cleveland???? Thank God, had me worried there for a minute.

[Behan]

I can show you five swinging dicks on barstools, that are only interested in the next pint and the next moose through the door. Sad probably, but true.

Greji, do you really have five swinging dicks?:p

[Greji]

Greji, do you really have five swinging dicks?:p

When? Are you talking sober, during daylight hours?

[BO-SENSEI]

That again is a bit general. There are tons of reasons to come to, or stay in Japan, YBF comes to mind as the sacred writ, but where I think you are viewing this from an honest, appreciative view, I have to say that for ever student of the culture that you can show me, I can show you five swinging dicks on barstools, that are only interested in the next pint and the next moose through the door. Sad probably, but true.

When you're right, you're right. And you're right.

It was a bit of an idealist statement on my behalf.

[AssKissinger]

women are poorly paid and give little satisfaction.

Well, if they gave more satisfaction they might make a little more cash.

[sublight]

That again is a bit general. There are tons of reasons to come to, or stay in Japan, YBF comes to mind as the sacred writ, but where I think you are viewing this from an honest, appreciative view, I have to say that for ever student of the culture that you can show me, I can show you five swinging dicks on barstools, that are only interested in the next pint and the next moose through the door. Sad probably, but true.

I thought YBF (or perhaps just BF, for the Japanese themselves) was the driving force of the the culture as a whole?

Seriously, I agree with what you say about the swinging dicks, but most of them turn around and head back home within a couple of years. But even counting them, I think FGs like us are outnumbered 5 to 1 by the people who come here just because Japan is the closest first-world economy in the region. They're the ones all these articles and the nationalist rhetoric are about, not us. Like Asians in America, we may as well be invisible (and recognize the advantages thereof).

[nottu]

[BO-SENSEI]

After reviewing what i previously posted about why Japanese people seem to be unwilling to allow an increase in the immigration of foreigners it does not make any sense.

With 2 percent of Japan being foreign-born versus the 10 percent of America, would Japan worry about its own culture if Japan had the same amount of immigrants as America did? I'd doubt it. Japanese culture evolves much like every other cultures. When I asked my students to draw a poster on something interesting about Japan, I got some posters on Kyoto, sushi, Mt. Fuji, kimonos. But by far i got the most posters on things like anime and manga. No matter how many foreigners you bring into Japan, these things are not going to go away. Sure kimonos are no longer worn, but that was killed by the Meiji period and are still worn, beautifully I might add, on coming of age day and important ceremonies. Millions of Americas eat sushi, watch anime and read manga. No matter what, Mt. Fuji is not going away. And Kyoto, although parts of it look like Las Vegas, is still a booming tourist destination with numerous historic temples, shrines, and gates.

So why do some Japanese people fear the increase in foreigners and so nationalistic politicians demand to keep their race pure? Because they are backwards, they live in their own little world that is 60 years ago. They live in a world where Japan was not the aggressor in World War II and Nanking never happened, they live in a world where everything is controlled by the bureaucracy and corruption and bribes are as much a part of politics as domestic policy. Japan's economy might be falling down around them but what can they do? The so-called "obvious solution" to them is an unreasonable one.

[AssKissinger]

So why do some Japanese people fear the increase in foreigners and so nationalistic politicians demand to keep their race pure? Because they are backwards, they live in their own little world that is 60 years ago.

Maybe they don't want Japan to become fucked-up crime-ridden shit-holes like America, England and France.