George R. Harada Managing Director, JAFSA Director, Office of International Exchange Hiroshima University of Economics

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1 George R. Harada Managing Director, JAFSA Director, Office of International Exchange Hiroshima University of Economics 240 University members & 330 Individual members As a professional organization in the field of international education we provide our members with training programs, information exchange opportunities, and financial assistance in doing surveys and research in the field. And, we try to be the window between Japan and our international friends. The following training sessions are offered: 1) Training Sessions (Introductory level every 3 months; Intermediate/Advance levels once a year; Management level training programs once a year, etc., ) 2) Monthly Research/Study Meetings in the local regions of Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu (on various topics such as Immigration Matters; Regional International Exchange Activities; etc., )

2 Other major events and activities on the calendar include: 1) 2 day Annual Summer Session (this year was the 40 th anniversary held at Keio University. 2 Keynote Speakers and 10 sessions arranged (including 2 all English sessions) with approximately 120 in attendance.) 2) 2 day JAFSA Kobe Forum (40 th Anniversary special forum held three weeks before the summer session in the Kansai region. 28 sessions and 5 free breakout evening sessions arranged. 150 in attendance.) 3) Attending Conferences and Coordinating Communication and Exchange with International Sister-Organizations (such as NAFSA, EAIE, CAFSA, KAFSA, KAIE, AIEC, etc., ) 4) Publishing a Newsletter for its members three times a year. 5) Managing and maintaining a Mailing list and a Homepage. 6) Directors Meetings 4 to 6 times a year and a general meeting held once a year. So, in general, JAFSA assists by training faculty and administrative personnel who are involved with international education exchange. Improvement of university infrastructure for accepting international students will make the educational environment more attractive.

3 The 300,000 International Student Acceptance Plan (target date 2020) Japan aims to open up its borders in relation to a global strategy to expand its development with the rest of the world with its people, products, money, and information. In this process, Japan will strategically recruit outstanding international students from various countries, regions and fields, and linking this with the acceptance of skilled human resources. Japan will also continue to support countries in need of intellectual international contribution. To execute this plan, Japan will: 1) Advance a plan that will start by providing incentives for thinking about coming to Japan: Japanese language education and Japanese culture will be supported and disseminated abroad; a network of One-Stop Service Centers will be established in countries around the world for prospective international and study-abroad students; in doing so, a national brand will be established. 2) Establish a comprehensive system (provide for a grand design ) that will cover everything from entrance exams and entry into the country to life on campus and in society as well as assistance in the student s studies and career placement. All of this will be done in coordination between the various ministries and organizations involved in promoting this plan.

4 The Nihon Keidanren reported twice ( Proposal on the Issue of Accepting Foreigners (2004) and A Second Proposal on the Issue of Foreign Human Resources (2007)) on the need to actively accept foreign workers. They recommended that Japan develop an economic society based on multiculturalism since every citizen in Japan could benefit from the diverse values, experiences and the intellectual knowledge of people from overseas. Influenced by these recommendations, the Economics and Finance Advisory Commission of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported in May 2008 the need to strengthen international human resources. One way they recommend to do this is to accept more skilled workers and to make the working environment more attractive. Another recommendation is to utilize the present internationalization of education and hire international students graduating from Japanese universities. (In fact, the new International Student Acceptance Plan calls for a 50% employment rate target for all international student graduates by 2020.) Problems with the present system: 1. Points of immigration management during the time of entrance into the Japan and at the time of renewal of period of stay. When foreigners transfer jobs (or retire) or change schools (or be expelled) during their period of stay, there is no obligation to report to the Minister of Justice, and the Alien Registration Law does not require the name of the workplace or school to be reported. Also, the Minister of Justice has no authority to investigate matters concerning reports of the local authorities on Alien Registration. For these reasons, the Minister of Justice does not have enough information about the possible changes during a foreigners period of residence in Japan, and therefore, the corresponding actions taken toward changes may not necessary be fully satisfactory to the circumstances involved.

5 2) There is punishment against false applications and violations against no action on required applications, however, these dispositions do not correspond to cancellations of residence status or deportation orders within the framework of the immigration laws; local authorities can investigate facts only at the time of application of alien registration (local authorities are not allowed to investigate after registration); even if a mistake in facts is found after registration, the local authorities have no right to change the content of the registration by themselves. 3) Alien residence information is managed and maintained on dual levels: Minister of Justice (Immigration Law) and Local Government Authorities (Alien Registration Law). This system is said to be inefficient and creates much burden on the foreigner entering Japan. A serious loophole related to this dual system is that a foreigner who is illegally residing in Japan (on the national level) can apply for an Alien Registration Certificate (on the local level) which can enable him/her to open up a bank account and/or sign a contract to buy a cell phone. In some instances, this kind of loophole is connected to illegal activity (crime).

6 Proposal presented on March 2008 by the Immigration Bureau Policy Conference, a private advisory group assigned by the Minister of Justice. 1. The dual system of management will change to a single system of management on the national level (Resident s Card System) with local government authorities merging its Alien Registration System with the Network System for Basic Resident s Register that is overseen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication. 2. The maximum period of stay (for those international students having college-student visas) will be extended from three to five years. 3. Laws will be tightened and enforced more strictly against violators, but foreigners residing in Japan abiding by the laws and regulations and continuing to be good citizens will enjoy improved local services (in compulsory education, medical care/insurance, welfare) as well as easier and abbreviated procedure (for extensions, re-entry, etc., ) on the national level. Facts: 1) On October 1, 2008, GATEWAY 21 (study abroad agent) filed for bankruptcy at the Tokyo District Court. 2) Debts are estimated at 1,290,000,000 yen. 3) During a meeting to explain their decision to file for bankruptcy to the creditors, it was announced that the company had received approximately 900,000,000 yen from 1,300 people to pay for tuition and homestay fees in advance. 4) A significant portion of the collected money was used for operational expenses (employees salary, PR materials, etc., ). 5) Presently, there are 1000 students studying abroad on GATEWAY 21 programs. Many will be returning because of unpaid or overdue tuition and homestay fees. *Things to think about for the future: Establishing quality control standards for study abroad businesses etc.,

7 Thank you for your attention.