Seminars & Events
Report
Symposium on “Immigrant Workers from Global South to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea: Present situations and future challenges”
On 22 August 2024, the Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO), Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF), and Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo (IASA) cohosted an international Symposium titled “Immigrant Workers from Global South to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea: Present situations and future challenges.” This page provides summaries of the discussions and presentations delivered during the Symposium.
Overview of the Symposium
Date and time: Thursday, 22 August 2024, 10:00-17:00 (JST)
Organizers:
Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO)
Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF)
Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo (IASA)
Venue: Main Conference Room (3F), Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo
Program
Agenda | Speakers |
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Opening remarks |
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Outline of symposium |
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Session I Japan, Taiwan and South Korea from the perspective of the sending countries | Moderator: Toshihisa Nakamura (Research Management Officer, IDE-JETRO) |
Presentation 1 “Mobility of Indonesian Migrant Health Workers to Taiwan and Japan: Perspectives from the Sending Country” |
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Presentation 2 “Mongolian Migrant Workers under the Employment Permit System in South Korea: Focusing on Sending/ Receiving Policies based on the Governments’ Bilateral Agreements” |
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Comment |
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Q&A and discussion | |
Lunch break | |
Session II Taiwan's migration regime and immigrant workers' jobs and lives | Moderator: Shigeto Sonoda (Professor, IASA) |
Presentation 1 “When Japan Becomes the Top Choice for Migrant Workers” |
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Presentation 2 “Migrant Labor Regime and Labor Market Intermediaries in the Taiwanese Semiconductor Industry” |
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Comment |
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Q&A and discussion | |
Session III Jobs, lives and communities of immigrant workers in Japan | Moderator: Yuko Tsujita (Senior Research Fellow, IDE-JETRO) |
Presentation 1 “Deregulation of Migration and Care in Japan” |
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Presentation 2 “Foreign Labor Employment in Japanese Agriculture” |
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Comment |
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Q&A and discussion | |
Break | |
Session IV Round Table discussion | Moderator: Yukihito Sato (Chief Senior Researcher, IDE-JETRO) |
Round Table discussion |
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Closing remarks |
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Overall Summary
There have been increasing numbers of immigrant workers from the “Global South” to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, which should continue in the future. This symposium aimed to analyze and understand the immigrant workers’ present situations in their destinations and the challenges the sending and receiving countries face.
First, we approached this issue from the viewpoints of the Global South, investigating the cases of Indonesians in Japan and Taiwan as well as Mongolians in South Korea. Second, we manifoldly examined immigrant workers’ situations in Taiwan through the case studies of Vietnamese and Philippine workers. Third, we argued about the diversified aspects of immigrant workers in Japan by looking at different sectors such as care services and agriculture. Finally, in the roundtable discussion, we succeeded in deepening our understanding of the roles of the receiving countries’ governments and finding the subjects that will continue to be studied.
Dr. Yukihito Sato
Dr. Fukunari Kimura

Dr. H.H. Michael Hsiao
Dr. Shigeto Sonoda
Session I Japan, Taiwan and South Korea from the Perspective of the Sending Countries
The presentation on Indonesian nurses working as nurses or long-term care workers in Japan and Taiwan noted that their experiences in both countries share many similarities, including reasons for migration, workplace and daily life challenges, and deskilling upon arrival. However, the national examination system and the associated education and training were regarded as better in Japan. The discussion also addressed the challenges of maximizing the benefits of migration for both the sending country and the individuals involved.
The presentation on Mongolian workers in South Korea provided an overview of the “Employment Permit System (EPS),” managed by the South Korean Government, detailing the process from recruiting unskilled workers to their eventual return home. Mongolia, one of the countries in South Korea that holds a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding, was discussed as an example. The presentation also clarified the historical background of migration from Mongolia to South Korea, as well as the current challenges faced by migrant workers, including those outside the EPS.
Session II Taiwan's Migration Regime and Immigrant Workers' Jobs and Lives
This session explored the multi-facets of immigrant workers in Taiwan. The first presentation highlighted the disadvantaged and hazardous work environments Vietnamese workers face. The second presentation examined Philippine workers in Taiwan’s semiconductor factories, revealing the complex, multilayered international regime governing immigrant labor. As the commentator noted, both presentations focused on brokers and intermediaries, who present a major challenge due to their exploitation of immigrant workers through high agency fees. At the same time, they play a positive role in matching immigrant workers with Taiwanese employers. Notably, the first presentation underscored how Vietnamese workers have learned to protest unfair conditions and request improvements inspired by Taiwan’s civil society.
Session III Jobs, Lives and Communities of Immigrant Workers in Japan
Migrant workers in Japan have become increasingly prominent in the long-term care and agriculture sectors, both of which face serious labor shortages due to the declining birthrate and aging population. Consequently, the number of migrant workers in these sectors has risen significantly in recent years.
In the long-term care sector, it was noted that, despite opportunities for career development and pathways to permanent residency or other long-term residence statuses, the increase in migrant workers has not been necessarily matched by adequate protections or respect for their human rights. In the agriculture sector, the role of migrant labor intermediaries in Japan was examined, emphasizing their capacity to meet various demands related to the number of migrant workers, their skill levels, and the timing of their employment, depending on factors such as the size of the farming operation.
There was a lively discussion comparing Japan’s multiple pathways for receiving migrant workers with Taiwan’s reception system, highlighting each system’s unique characteristics and the diverse range of domestic agents involved based on the requirements of the companies seeking to employ them.
Session IV Round Table Discussion
In the final roundtable discussion, the important issues were picked up from the three sessions. It was a fair recruiting system for immigrant workers that was argued actively. The Dacca Principle was introduced as a standard for assessing systems. Regarding the Principle, one discussant indicated that gender should be considered. At the same time, the other pointed out it can be used to assess whether corporations follow it and whether governments construct institutions to urge them to follow it.
One of the other focuses is the roles of governments. One discussant maintained that government-to-government systems could be fairer than private systems, although the other insisted that government-to-government systems could not guarantee fairness ideally.
Competition among the receiving countries was also discussed. One discussant asked what appeal Japan and Taiwan have for immigrant workers compared to South Korea, which attracts workers through Korean TV dramas and K-pop. This point also led to reform of the receiving countries’ systems. Finally, one comment to be noted is that the nonexperts’ simple and basic questions can sometimes contribute to deepening discussion about this issue. At the same time, experts usually argue it is only because labor migration is complicated and requires a lot of technical knowledge.
Contact
Research Development Division
Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO)
Tel: +81 (0)43-299-9667 Fax:043-299-9731
E-mail:R_promo2
*This event was sponsored by Grant-in Aid of Global South Future-oriented Co-creation Project FY2024.
*The views expressed in the webpage are those of the presenter(s) and neither the Institute of Developing Economies nor the Japan External Trade Organization bears responsibility for them.