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Last Tango in Tokyo for Japanese Migrants

Japan has the world's second-biggest economy, achieving an economic miracle in the second half of the 20th Century that was the envy of the rest of the world. Its role in the international community is considerable. It is a major aid donor and a source of global capital and credit.  But now its facing tough times with the global financial crisis and a aging population.

 

Jason Strother has this series of reports on the former Asia Tiger.

 



Migrants Lose Jobs During Recession

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One hundred years ago, a wave of poor Japanese migrants resettled in Brazil to work on coffee plantations.

Today, their descendants number around one million and are one of Brazil’s most successful minority groups.

In the 1990s Japan offered this Diaspora work visas and close to 300 thousand Japanese-Brazilians have since returned to their ancestral homeland.

But now, due to the global economic recession, many are heading back to Brazil.

From Nagoya, reporter Jason Strother has more. 

 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 September 2009 11:59 )
 

Caring for Japan’s Graying Population

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Japan is facing a nursing shortage.

 

The nation has the world’s oldest population but not enough young people to help care for them.

 

Now the country is turning to foreign nurses to help make up for that deficit.

But not everyone is convinced this is a good career move for these caregivers.

 

From Tokyo, reporter Jason Strother has more.

 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 September 2009 15:07 )
 

Divided Community Faces Backlash from Nuclear Standoff

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Still on the subject of Korean’s overseas.

In Japan they make up the largest ethnic minority living in the country.

And despite many having lived there for decades, they express a reluctance to accept Japan as their true home.
 
Most strive to preserve their Korean heritage and connections with friends, family and colleagues in South and North Korea.
 
But as our reporter Jason Strother discovered in the Japanese capital Tokyo, the frequent escalation in tensions in recent years is making it difficult for the Korean community to maintain these traditions and connections.

 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 September 2009 11:52 )
 
 
      
 

  • This week on Asia Calling

Minorities denied government aid in flood affected Pakistan: The Catholic Vatican has expressed concern that minority communities such as Christians and Hindus are not receiving flood aid. It claims minorities are ‘systematically’ denial assistance by government officials in flood affected areas. The Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered inquiry into the matter. Naeem Sahoutara has this report from the government relief camp in Hyderabad where hundreds of Hindus are amongst the displaced.

Cambodians students sell virginity to study: Youth unemployment rates in Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia are expected to rise to as high as 14.8 percent by the end of the year, according to a new report released by the International Labour Organisation. To struggle to get a education in order to compete in the job market is leading to young girls to take desperate measure. Khortieth Him meets one girl who is sold sex to pay for her studies.

 

 

These stories and much more this week
on Asia Calling:

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