In early June 2024, MMN organised a field visit to Japan for representatives of its network member Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). The visit, which included a series of events and meetings was part of the MMN project, entitled: “Enhancing the Capacity of Countries of Origin in Facilitating Equitable Migration to Japan”, supported by the Toyota Foundation. The project, running from November 2019 to June 2024, culminated with the weeklong visit to Japan. Delegates included participants from Legal Support for Children and Women (LSCW) in Cambodia, the Centre for Development and Integration (CDI), the Future Light Centre (FLC) in Vietnam, and the MMN Secretariat.

Throughout the project period, these organisations have collaborated to develop several key resources: a Handbook for CSOs and Trade Unions on Assisting Migrants Deployed to Japan; A Guide to Migrant Workers’ Rights in Japan; an advocacy paper entitled “Who pays? Recruitment Fees for Migrant Workers from Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar to Japan”, and a documentary film entitled “Building a Future Together: Mekong Migrant Workers in Japan”. They also hosted country visits from MMN project partner organisations, including CSO partners from Japan. The visit to Vietnam took place in November 2023 and the one to Cambodia in February 2024. These exchanges, allowed project partners to deepen their understanding of each other’s work, learn about good practices and challenges in protecting the rights of migrants deployed to Japan, and explore ways to continue cross-country collaboration beyond the project period.

The visit to Japan included the following events and activities:

5 June 2024 – MMN delegates presented and actively participated in the Panel Discussion on the Future of Labour Migration to Japan, organised by MMN in collaboration with Kyoto University’s Asian Studies Unit. For further information, please click here.

6 June 2024 – MMN delegates participated in an internal reflection meeting with Kyoto University’s Asian Studies Unit.

7 June 2024 – MMN delegates visited the Kobe Foreigners Friendship Center, followed by a meeting with representatives from the Rights of Immigrants Network in Kansai (RINK) and Hurights Osaka.

8 June 2024 – MMN delegates visited the Association for Toyonaka Multicultural Symbiosis. After which they participated in a workshop organised by Solidarity with Migrants Japan (SMJ).

9 June 2024 – MMN delegates met separately with Cambodian migrant workers and employers’ representatives in Nagoya.

10 June 2024 – MMN delegates met the Cambodian labour attaché, Mr. Kao Nirooth, in Tokyo.

Through their active participation in these events, visits and meetings, MMN delegates gained a deeper understanding of Japan’s migration policies, the perspectives of migrant workers and employers on current recruitment practices, and the strategies and challenges faced by various CSOs in supporting migrants. As a result of the visit, MMN partners in the concerned countries of origin, namely Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, have expressed increased confidence and commitment in supporting migrant workers deployed to Japan.