Foreigners Cometh! Paths to Multiculturalism in Japan, Korea and Taiwan

Abstract

This paper has a four-fold goal: (1) it examines the difficulties faced by Japan, Korea and Taiwan in developing and implementing multicultural programs for their newly arriving migrants; (2) it offers an analysis of indigenous ethnic formation and migration of workers and marriage migrants in the context of ongoing debates on multiculturalism in East Asia; (3) it analyzes narratives behind the educational reforms to shed light on the political contention surrounding multicultural governance in the region; and (4) it discusses why educational institutions in East Asia seem uninterested in offering courses on multiculturalism. This paper suggests that the three countries will continue to face substantial difficulties in institutionalizing their own democratic multiculturalism(s) due to pressures from global and domestic forces. We expect that the three countries will continue to modify their approaches to multicultural governance despite institutional constraints.

Latin American Immigrants' Adaptation Experiences in Korea: Cases of Migrant Workers with Professions in Culture and Entertainment Sectors

“…As a result of an investigation into the type of relationship that Latin American professionals have with Korea's sociocultural characteristics in their immigration experiences, it was found that they employ adaptation strategies, such as the formation of limited social networks and the reconstruction of their racial identity. Unlike previous studies on immigration that have focused on immigrants from Asia and unskilled workers (Kim & Oh, 2012), this study showed that Latin American professionals experience Korean society in a relatively different way and that how they express themselves also involves distinct characteristics. For those involved mainly in organizational life, such as in sports, the Latin American professionals who are not familiar with the Korean hierarchy perceive a cultural difference.…”

Don’t ask for fair treatment? A gender analysis of ethnic discrimination, response to discrimination, and self-rated health among marriage migrants in South Korea

“…In industrialized Asian countries, especially Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, migration has been increased since 1990s. Labor and marriage migration take the biggest proportion of migration to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea because working age population has decreased due to low-birth rate [ 1 ]. The increase of marriage migrants could ingenerate the social issues including ethnic tensions, and it also happens in South Korea (hereafter Korea).…”

The Political Aspects of Westerners Teaching English in Eastern Countries: A Look at East Asia

“…Overall, the political view in South Korea seems to be in favor of foreign teachers, especially since the English language learning has become a business that many companies are benefiting from. The government supports bringing in foreign teachers to teach English, and the people also support having foreign teachers in schools and academies to learn English (Kim & Oh, 2012). Both sides seem to hold the view that it is to better communicate with tourists and to better compete in the international business scene.…”