Institutions and Migration processes of Muslim Immigrants in Japan

OKAI Hirofumi, Waseda UniversityKITAZUME Hideki, Waseda University

4. The Process of Establishment

5. After the foundation of a masjid“Functional enhancement” depends on time-course or variation of members

Masjids and musallah gradually hold special functions in relation to the host society.Maturity is a factor in the functional enhancement of masjids. However, the course of time is only one

factor and it seems contemplation of the possibilities of functional enhancement is dependant on various factors unique to each masjid and its members.

6. Functional enhancement and Japanese societyParadox of a “rapidly established hospitable community”

Functional enhancements are accessible as a result of solidarity and mutual aid of Muslims living in Japan. However, we would like to focus on the background in which these functions were rapidly established.

Ex. 1. How to position of newly established educational function in Japanese educational system.2 Paradox of existence of informal `safety net`.3. Infrequent social interaction between local Japanese residents and Muslims .

“Coexistence” or “Integration”?? ‐ Or a lack of specific policiesThere is awareness of a situation in which institutional formation is making rapid progress, before concrete

countermeasures are considered by host society. Until now discussion in Japan surrounding the admittance of immigrants, their adaptation in Japan and the

importance of the existence of local ethnicity were mainly focused on those Japanese descended from Brazilians and the terminology used talked about "coexistence" and "integration“.

However such discussions still make no provisions for the cultural world of Muslims which covers a wide range of sectors from private space to public space. We have to consider how to adopt these discussions to the Muslims’ situation in all its bearings.

3. The Main Theoretical Frameworks1.Subculture and achievement of ‘Critical Mass’“A set of modal beliefs, values, norms, and customs associated with a relativity distinct social subsystem (a set of interpersonal networks and institutions) existing within a larger social system and culture”, “the larger a subculture’s population, the greater its institutional completeness “

-Achievement of “critical mass” is as a function of the amount of “population”.-Considering only the viewpoint of “population” it is difficult to describe “how” institutions are

established, although this factor lends itself to a description of “why”.

2. The “Social Demand" approachThis approach conceives of community organization as "a response to expressed needs on the part of members of a collectivity - needs experienced in the process of coping with their social environment", for example, services, the expression of culture, social support, merchandise and so on.

-Achievement of “critical mass” is as a function of social demand. -The accumulation of social capital of immigrants (or solidarity based on social networks of immigrants)

is important for the achievement of “critical mass” which doesn’t confine “population” as a single variable.

3.The “Social Supply " approachThis approach views community organization as a function of the "outcome of entrepreneurial activity on the part of individuals who have access to the resources required for 'community building.“’ The social networks of immigrants are dispensable in a "social supply" approach.

4. Emergence of “Solidary Groups”“Solidary groups are most likely to emerge when demanded goods are not attainable from the state or in market”. To the degree that the allocation of good is discriminatory, solidary groups are likely to form among those individuals so affected.

1. IntroductionThis presentation will examine the progression of “institutional completeness” within masjid

in Japan, and related issues.We will review the current state of the Muslim community. paying special attention for the

processes of establishing Masjids(“Rush to establish Masjids”), and for increasing ethnic resources through solidarity and immigrant business activities.

We will also address issues resulting from the progression of the migration process of Muslim immigrants and local Japanese social structures.

The following questions will be addressed.1. How are masjids established in Japan? [Sections 3 & 4]2. Has there been any change in the establishment process over the past

two decades? (What is the cause of a “Rush to establish Masjids”?)[Section 4]3. What are the state and meaning of these religious institutions

in contemporary, local community of Muslim in Japan? [Sections 5 & 6]

2. The General Situation Today

1 2 3 4 58 9

1215

1824

2730

3340

4551

0

20

40

60

1935 1938 1962 1982 1991 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008

Number

Year of Foundation

Number of MasjidInflux of Muslim migrant workers in relation to the asset-inflation `economic bubble`.

7. Conclusion1. Although in earlier periods of institutional formation there were many constraints, a base of

solidarity allowed a religious base to be maintained. The establishment of religious institutions through internal mobilization as a result of growing demands presented itself as a feature.

2. In the founding phase, they evolved local solidarity, but recently the options during foundation have developed to include backing by established masjids and Islamic organizations as well as the existence of Muslims involved in ethnic businesses with stable resident status. It can be said that the root of resource mobilization in terms of institutional enhancement has expanded. Due to these factors, the founding of Japanese masjids has progressed rapidly.

3. Regarding the situation after founding, masjids have come to operate as a network offering members solutions for issues such as educational problems that the larger Japanese society can not resolve.

4. Despite the rapid development of Muslim communities, effective policies addressing their circumstances have not been enacted. How Muslim communities will stand in relation to Japanese society in the future is a critical issue. Understanding the processes and institutions of Muslim immigrants is an important first step.

2-1. The foreign Muslim population in Japan: Less than 100,000, or 5% of foreign residents are

Muslim(a relatively small ratio of population among foreign residents)2-2. Diverse nationalities and ethnicities

Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Iranian, Sri Lankan, Indonesian and Malaysian.

2-3. Acquiring “stable” residence statusEx. “Personal relationship or status”, “College Student” , ” Trainee”.⇔Transition from “Irregular migrant worker (mid 80’s – early 90’s)”.

2-4. The rise of “Ethnic businesses”Used car exporter, halal shop

Overcoming the difficulties of lower socio-economic status

2-5. Founding of various kinds of organizationsThe recent “rush to establish Masjids”.

ex. Catholic Vietnamese immigrants in JapanBrazilians of Japanese descentMuslim community in the Netherlands

Japan’s mutual visa-waiver agreements with Bangladesh and Pakistan were both suspended in January 1989 and with Iran in April 1992.

Japan’s Muslim population declined due to political elimination.

Turkish Tatar exileIndian Muslimetc...

Opportunity of support activity by domestic and foreign government

Establishment of worship facility

Establishment of Masjids in inner-city areaFounding Islam organizations

MuslimSelf-employed workerForeign studentForeign traineeMigrant workerSpouse or Child of Japanese NationalRaise of ethnic businessStable residence statusAcquisition of Stable socio-economic base

Situation where no worship facility is around neighborhoodPolitical eliminationAbsence of concrete countermeasures

Religious demand for a permanent worship facility

Establishment of masjids

MuslimMigrant workerForeign studentLower socio-economical circumstancesVulnerable economic base

Situation where no worship facility is around neighborhoodIncrease of migrant workerPolitical elimination

Religious demand for a permanent worship facility

Establishment of masjids

Before the influx of newcomers

Early 1990s

Present situation

Character of Immigrant Group

Social Environment

Contents of Social Demands /Extent and territory of corporate activity

Extent and character of community group

Mobilization of Outer ResourceInvolvement from Outside

Emergence of “Rush to establish Masjids”The increased numbers of masjids themselves speed up the

efficient mobilization of resources and the increasing role of Muslims who are able to overcome adverse socio-economic circumstances such as by entry into independent business. Islamic association also accelerate this trend.

If it is hard to raise the money, the situation is still favorable because of the resources available through the wider population.

Despite the population is lower than early 1990s, now the foundation of masjids is achieved mainly through increasing internal resources and expanding access to other resources is a backdrop.

Character of Immigrant group

Opportunity of entrepreneurial activity

Extent and territory of corporate activity

Extent and character of community organization

Character of Immigrant group

Social environment

Contents of social demand

Extent and character of community organization

<Education>•Large number of family with children•Progression of family formation

•Absence of educational institution based on islam

•Solution for educational issue

•Educational function for children

Character of members

Contents of social demandsExtent and character of community group

Social Environment

•Large number of Foreign student and trainee•Bachelor•Periodic membership turnover

No halal food shop in the neighboring region

•Solution for food issue •Food supply function for student and trainee*

*Buying halal food via internet and resell with margin to raise maintenance expense for masjid<Food issues>

•Large number of manual worker•Personal network of imam

•Political elimination•Unstable job environment•Demand of employer

Demand for Job-hunting

•Building up safety-net

<Job-hunting>Character of members

Social Environment

Character of members

Social Environment

Contents of social demands

Contents of social demands

Extent and character of community group

Extent and character of community group

Upon arrival, most of them are unfamiliar with Japanese society, their economic circumstances are fragile, and they have no access to external resources. But they eventually did accumulate adequate social and economic capital and thus achieve a “critical mass” in spite of these difficulties.

The process of mobilizing internal resources has proven successful for groups aspiring to establish their own masjid.