Reiko Ogawa
The globalization of care is a worldwide phenomenon, although the incorporation of migrants into care regimes differs significantly by country. While Japan has been reluctant to accept migrants in the care sector, recent policy revisions have opened diverse corridors for migrants to enter the care labor market. This paper first examines the historical developments of migrants entering care work through bilateral agreements, and then elaborates upon four diverse migration corridors, as well as how it has affected migrants’ decisions and their prospects to stay in Japan. Despite the border being closed and immigration halted in Japan during the pandemic, migrants who were already in the country deliberately chose to enter care work regardless of the risks and possible infection. This research reveals that the main reasons for migrants entering care work were to acquire certification tied to residential status, thereby expanding their life options. However, such opportunities are unevenly distributed according to the entry channel. The current diversified framework creates stratification according to the accessibility of becoming a certified care worker. This happens not only between Japanese and migrants, but also among migrants themselves. These overlapping corridors represent the characteristic patchwork of Japan’s migration policy, along with the need for social integration strategies as more and more migrants settle down with their families.