TO LIVE THE UNIVERSAL FRATERNITY WITH MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
Migrants and refugees are exploited and discriminated against in their destinations. It is necessary to promote sustainable development and ensure the dignity of all human beings, including migrants. In 2022, more than 100 million refugees around the world (the source is UNHCR) have been forced to flee their homes to flee their fears due to persecution and violence caused by conflict and civil war. In 2021, the number of refugee recognition applicants in Japan was 2,413. As a result of the refugee recognition procedure, 654 foreigners were allowed to stay in Japan. Of these, only 74 foreigners were recognized as refugees, and 580 were not recognized as refugees but were allowed to stay in Japan due to humanitarian considerations. The number of foreign residents in Japan is 2,961,969 as of the end of June 2022.
In addition, as of October 12, 2022, there are about 2,000 people who evacuated to Japan due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, of which about 400 are under the age of 18. Japan government calls people fleeing Ukraine "displaced persons" to distinguish them from "refugees." "Displaced persons" are temporary acceptance as a special measure, and are not "regular refugees" under the Refugee Convention or the Immigration Control Act. The Japan government has been reluctant to accept refugees. Compared to Europe and the United States, the number of refugee recognition of Japan was conspicuously low, but this time, although they have not been recognized as "refugees," they are embarking on an unprecedented level of protection for Ukrainians.
Migrants and refugees should be treated with respect and dignity. We think it is necessary to take care so that families are not separated, protected from the risk of human trafficking, and can live with peace of mind. What risks they face when they return to their homeland? The nation should not deport them without national examination
Many foreign workers are employed in Japan. Recently, the number of technical intern trainees working has been increasing. Technical intern trainees were originally intended to promote international cooperation through the transfer of skills, technologies, or knowledge to developing regions through human resource development. Since the purpose is skill transfer, technical intern trainees need to return to their home country after 3 or 5 years.
The Technical Intern Training Program for Foreigners has been strongly criticized by the international community as a hotbed of human trafficking and the current slavery system. Many technical intern trainees are not valued for their dignity as human beings and are treated like cheap labor. The Catholic Church in Japan regularly holds their labor consultation hotline with supporting groups. Many of the consultations are about dismissal, forced return, violence, verbal abuse, pregnancy and childbirth. Technical intern trainees are not a disposable workforce. They are important young people and human beings who are responsible for the future.
The arrival of those who are different, coming from other ways of life and cultures, can be a gift, for “the stories of migrants are always stories of an encounter between individuals and between cultures. For the communities and societies to which they come, migrants bring an opportunity for enrichment and the integral human development of all”. For this reason, “I especially urge young people not to play into the hands of those who would set them against other young people, newly arrived in their countries, and who would encourage them to view the latter as a threat, and not possessed of the same inalienable dignity as every other human being”（Fratelli ｔutti 133・〝ｒeciprocal ｇifts″）
We are worrying about the situation in Ukraine, which continues to be invaded by force, and about the hate crimes in Japan (criminal acts motivated by discrimination and hatred against race, religion, etc.)
We hope that now is the time to follow Christ and work for a peaceful world.
Japan ACO continues to work with labor unions and other civic groups to protect the human rights of Japan workers and foreign technical intern trainees’ who are in a vulnerable position in today's Japan society, under the slogan of "Being a neighbor to those who need help the most." And we are trying to walk with foreign workers as working colleagues who live together and neighbors in the community.
We Japan ACO, would like to continue to look for the gospel in our lives and work in solidarity with the WMCW movement.
Message written by ACO Japan
Prayer
Lord, make us bearers of hope, so that where there is darkness, your light may shine, and where there is discouragement, confidence in the future may be reborn.
Lord, make us instruments of your justice,
so that where there is exclusion, fraternity may flourish, and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.
Lord, make us builders of your Kingdom,
together with migrants and refugees
and with all who dwell on the peripheries.
Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is to live together as brothers and sisters. Amen.
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 9 May 2022
POPE FRANCIS
