エッセイ 06

Contemplating on Cultural Diversity in Japan

Cultural diversity is no longer something to overcome, but rather to cherish as we live in a global society where people migrate around the world in search of a better life.

Although Japanese is a homogeneous people, the number of foreigners has ever been increasing. Lots of foreign workers are coming from Asia. We see them even in countryside. As it is predicted that Japan will continue to experience declining population as years ahead, Japan will be likely to accept more foreign workers.

Both Japanese and foreigners will have to co-inhabit in the same society. While foreign workers learn a Japanese language and culture, Japanese people also need to understand their cultures and customs so that both can live in harmony with each other. Through mutual understanding, cultural diversity can bring about fruitful development to our communities.

Local communities must be inclusive of their friends from the world, not making them uncomfortable and isolated from communities. In the events such as summer festivals held by local communities, foreign neighbors are expected to join and be actively involved in local affairs so that they can feel at home. Through incessant efforts, we will be able to build trusting relationships between Japanese and foreign friends.

In Sasebo city, Nagasaki Prefecture, an attempt was made to hold a sport festival for local people and foreigners who live there in hopes to create a friendly atmosphere that foreigners are welcome, and that they are an essential part of the community.

Much effort is needed to support foreigners in case of emergency. There were cases that language barrier had hindered them from reaching necessary information in the time of Great East Japan Earthquake in Tohoku region.

Improving public service for foreigners is still an ongoing issue. Creating foreigner-friendly environment for better accessibility and easier navigation in major facilities is highly recommended, and it can be achieved by incorporating signs in multiple languages in public places such as airports and train stations. TV broadcast should prepare footages of emergency caution in multiple languages in advance, so that foreigners can quickly evacuate. The government should take legislative measures to ensure that foreigners can receive adequate public assistance such as child-rearing support just as Japanese citizens. It may be a good idea to deploy translators as a concierge in municipal offices in cities where a lot of foreigners live.

Some may argue that the government shouldn’t allocate fund for foreigners because they are not citizens. However, this argument fails to acknowledge that they are inevitable entities in our society, contributing to the welfare and economic development in Japan. Funding to support them and to meet their needs ultimately benefit Japanese citizens.

Once foreign people were aliens who were thought as strangers, or at most tourists visiting for a short time, but now they are just as important as local citizens. With this notion in our mind, we will have to accelerate our efforts to improve foreigners’ living conditions.