In November 2025, Mekong Migration Network (MMN) organized Migrant Exchange Forums with Cambodian and Vietnamese migrant workers deployed to Japan, with support from Toyota Foundation.
One of the key challenges faced by Cambodian and Vietnamese migrant workers is the lack of reliable information channels. This persistently limits migrants’ awareness of their rights and obligations, as well as the regulations and policies of their home countries and of Japan. These Migrant Exchange Forums aimed to build a platform where migrant returnees could gather and share their migration experiences, and where migrants’ collective voice could be heard and considered in policy discussions. Migrant returnees have rich lived experience and are thus perfectly placed to identify issues within the labour migration process. Returnees can be key resources for prospective migrants, and can share their experiences and lessons learnt.
Workshop on New Labour Migration Policies in Japan, Migrant Returnees Forum and Prospective Migrants Forum in Ha Tinnh, Vietnam, 5-7 November 2025
In Vietnam, the Migrant Exchange Forum was organised in collaboration with the Center for Development and Integration, an active MMN member in Vietnam, and Ha Tinh Employment Service Centre. Ha Tinh province has one of the highest numbers of overseas workers in the country, sending migrants to destinations such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. In Vietnam, Employment Service Centres (ESCs) across the country organise job matching fairs, and provide information on local job opportunities, unemployment insurance and other benefits. They also offer guidance on overseas employment, including language and skills training.
Workshop on new labor migration policies in Japan for Ha Tinh ESC staff, 5 November 2025
Prior to the Migrant Exchange Forum, MMN organised a half-day workshop to provide the ESC staff with the most up-to-date information on policies and laws related to migrant workers in Japan. The session was aimed at building the capacity of ESC staff who work to assist prospective migrants. As ESC staff do not specialize in specific destination countries, it is challenging for them to keep up-to-date and accurate information on migration policies of all the possible destination countries. Hence, ESC requested MMN to provide capacity building for its staff members. At the training, Prof. Wako Asato from the Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University, presented the outline of Japan’s new Skills Development Employment scheme, scheduled to be launched in 2027. During the Q&A session, ESC staff actively participated and raised questions about the procedure and requirements for transferring jobs under the new scheme.
Migrant Returnees Forum, 6 November
On the 6th of November, MMN, CDI and Ha Tinh ESC co-organised a day-long exchange forum for migrant returnees. Seventeen migrant returnees (Female 3, Male 14) attended the one-day event. Most of the participants had migrated to Japan under TITP, and had returned to Vietnam between 2019 and 2025. They worked in different employment sectors, including eight in the manufacturing sector, three in the construction sector, and one each in fishing and agriculture. In various activities and group discussions, returnees shared their experiences and identified common challenges in different migration stages―before departure, while working in Japan, and upon return. Many shared that they had learned a lot in Japan, including customs around punctuality, work ethic, independence, and flexibility to adopt different cultures, in addition to language and job-related skills. However, only one participant found the migration experience in Japan helpful in securing a job upon return. Returnees shared that employment opportunities relevant to the kinds of work migrants performed in Japan were limited in their hometowns, making it difficult to find a job using skills gained while working in Japan. One male returnee who worked in the construction sector in Japan noted,
“I expected to find a job in Vietnam, using skills learned in Japan. However, no similar work available in Vietnam. I’m looking for another migration opportunity, and now studying Korean language.”
Prospective Migrant Workers Forum, 7 November, 2025
On the 7th of November, 16 prospective migrant workers (F 3, M 13) and eight returnees from the previous day joined an exchange forum. Approximately the half of the prospective migrant workers had secured jobs in Japan, while other half had not decided on their destinations. In group discussions, prospective migrant workers had opportunities to ask questions directly to returnees, and returnees shared their experiences and suggestions. Mr. Thế Anh Trần, a returnee, was invited to present online about how he had started his own business upon his return to Vietnam. He talked about the benefits of Japanese languages skills, and emphasised the importance of setting a future plan before departing to Japan, including financial planning for those who wished to start their own business. He stated,
“Going to Japan is not escaping from Vietnam. You need to have a goal before you go. You will be at loss if you only look for money when you return. Going to Japan in itself won’t change your life. How you learn, how you absorb may change your life. Find what you like to do, what you are good at, and gain relevant additional skills, such as digital skills, sales skills etc.”
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Migrant Exchange Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 9-10 November 2025
In Cambodia, the Migrant Exchange Forum was organised in collaboration with Legal Support for Children and Women (LSCW), an active MMN member in Cambodia. Many of the migrant participants were introduced by four private recruitment agencies in Phnom Penh.
Migrant Returnees Forum, 9 November, 2025
On the 9th of November 2025, MMN and LSCW organised a whole-day exchange forum for migrant returnees. Sixteen (F 8, M 8) migrant returnees attended the event. Nearly all of them migrated under TITP, and came back to Cambodia between 2013 and 2024. They worked in agriculture, construction, food packaging, steel factory, garment factory etc. Only one returnee currently lives in Phnom Penh, and others returned to home provinces. Currently five returnees work in garment factories, and four have their own businesses.
Participants highlighted two major challenges encountered during the pre‑departure stage. First, many pointed to the high migration fees, noting that they were unable to repay their loans while working in Japan. As a result, they continued to carry repayment burdens even after returning to Cambodia. Second, participants described the financial strain associated with Japanese language study prior to departure. Many had to relocate to Phnom Penh to attend language courses, which meant taking on substantially higher living costs compared to their hometowns, in addition to paying course fees. Because they were typically required to study full‑time, migrants had limited or no opportunity to work during this period.
When asked about the differences from what they expected and what they found migrating to Japan, returnees said that they had not gained the language skills, technical skills, or money they had expected. However, one returnee shared how he managed to start and grow his own business. He shared,
“Before migrated, I thought the aircon installment would have a big business opportunity in Cambodia, and I waited for two years to get a suitable position in TITP. I studied Japanese language on my own while working as a security guard in the nighttime. Now, I hope to expand my business outside my province.”
His testimony suggests the importance of including future career and financial planning in pre-departure training curricula.
Prospective Migrant Workers Forum, 10 November 2025
On the following day, MMN and LSCW organised another whole-day exchange forum with prospective migrant workers. Thirty-one (31) prospective migrant workers (F 11, M 20) attended, together with four returnees. Most of the prospective migrant workers had already secured jobs under TITP and were scheduled to be deployed to Japan in early 2026. They would work in cleaning, food processing, construction etc. Five were originally from Phnom Penh, but others were from various provinces and currently lived in the dormitories of their recruitment agencies. Their previous experience included work in garment factories, retail, farming and fisheries, while some were recent graduates.
Mr. Kenta Ando, the First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Cambodia was invited to present Japan’s policies, regulations, and entitlements relevant to TITP workers. He emphasised the importance of gaining official information and avoiding relying on information from friends without validating it. He said:
“Search proactively and reach out for the official and correct information, and seek support from supervising organisations and recruitment agencies in a timely manner when you face any issues. If your issues are not solved, you can contact Organisation for Technical Intern Trainees (OTIT) or Foreign Residents Support Centre (FRESC).”
Since the participants would be departing for Japan shortly, many specific questions were raised, including how to apply for sick leave, how to find opportunities to continue to learn Japanese while working, where to seek help in case of earthquakes etc. For migrants to seek further information after arriving in Japan, MMN presented the types of support provided by migrant support organisations and government bodies in Japan, as well as resources provided by the Cambodian Embassy.
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Both returnees and prospective migrants in Vietnam and Cambodia reported having enjoyed the program, and wished for other opportunities to meet and share about their lives. Participants exchanged contact information and created group chats to continue to exchange information.
The issues that surfaced in discussions at the forums are as below.
- Dialogue between the government of Japan and countries of origin
Many returnees spoke of the financial challenges they faced due to recruitment fees and migration costs. Under the upcoming Employment for Skill Development program, regulations stipulate that no more than two months’ wages may be collected as recruitment fees. However, because circumstances vary across countries of origin, effective implementation requires sustained dialogue between governments of Japan and respective countries of origin. The need for such dialogue was also noted as a concern by Mr. Ando of the Embassy of Japan in Phnom Penh.
- Responsibilities of Countries of Origin
To ensure that migration experiences are genuinely meaningful for workers, improvements are needed not only to Japan’s migration policies but also to the systems of countries of origin. Key areas include:
*Expanding job opportunities for returnees. Returnees frequently reported that they were unable to secure jobs that allowed them to use the skills or Japanese language abilities acquired during their time in Japan. Stakeholders in countries of origin need to enhance their support for migrant returnees, helping them find suitable jobs or offering support to start their own businesses.
*Providing accessible financing and loan systems to cover migration costs.
*Offering flexible options for prospective migrants to continue working while studying Japanese language before departure.
Additionally, during a half-day session with ESC staff in Vietnam, the importance of keeping relevant staff updated on Japan’s migration policies, tax deduction systems, and labor laws was emphasised. Since ESC staff are responsible for providing accurate information to prospective migrants, continuous training and updates are essential.
MMN will produce an advocacy paper that includes key issues identified during the forums, and recommendations collectively identified by migrant returnees and prospective migrants. The updates of this project will be posted on the MMN website.