Message from Principal Investigator
It is a well-acknowledged fact that immigrants and their children often encounter a multitude of challenges as they integrate into new societies. Regrettably, Japanese society still lacks a comprehensive understanding of the difficulties faced by these immigrants.
Our team aims to examine the challenges confronting children from foreign backgrounds. We are utilizing a diverse array of data sources to illuminate the pathways leading to their disadvantages.
We hold great anticipation that the outcomes of our research will provide invaluable insights for the formulation of effective support systems and policies dedicated to these children. Our earnest aspiration is to contribute to the realization of a society where all children, irrespective of their diverse backgrounds, can embark on their individual life journeys with equal opportunities.
Principal Investigator: Naoko Yamamoto (Toyo Eiwa University)
September 2023
Research Summary
This research is conducted as part of the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research project "Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (2022〜2026) Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas(A): Establishment of Child Poverty Research," focusing on the multifaceted examination of child poverty. Our primary objective is to comprehensively investigate the impact of having "foreign roots" (immigrant status) and the compounded effects of poverty-related factors on children.
In recent years, the population of children with foreign roots in Japan has experienced rapid growth and diversification. Previous studies on immigrant communities have underscored their susceptibility to low income and labor market disadvantages. Moreover, their children often grapple with issues like school maladjustment, low attendance rates, instances of bullying, and strained parent-child relationships. Many of these challenges intersect with those identified among children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It is inferred that the experience of poverty is the result of combined effects arising from economic hardship and foreign roots.
In addition to investigating the interplay between foreign roots and poverty, this study aims to examine how family status, residential area characteristics (including poverty rates, city size, and foreign residence rates), the availability of support policies and services for foreign residents in the community and schools, as well as the presence of ethnic communities, mediate their impact on children. We will assess how these factors can either alleviate or exacerbate the situation and elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to the disadvantages faced by children with foreign roots.