Rediscovering the Japanese identity abroad: The experience of Japanese women working in Singapore

1. Rediscovering the Japanese identity abroad: The experience of Japanese women working in Singapore Takashi Nakazawa Oita University

2. Introduction • Qualitative approaches to International migration • situate and interpret the experiences of international migrations in the life course of the migrants • Few studies on highly skilled international migration of women • The lived experiences of Japanese women working in Singapore is investigated in this paper. • The reasons why Japanese women pursue a life in Singapore. • The daily lives of Japanese women in Singapore. • The meaning of Japanese identity for them.

3. The increase of Japanese women working overseas • Gender discrimination in Japanese labor market • Lingering depression of Japanese economy since the beginning of 1990s • Branches of Japanese MNCs began to replace seconded representatives with local staffs

4. Japanese women in three Asia mega-cities

5. Japanese women working in Singapore • In-depth Interviews with 26 Japanese women, usually at their workplace. Some were conducted as focus group interviews. • Unmarried, highly educated women who were in their late 20s or early30s.

6. Japanese women working in Singapore • Seventeen out of 26 had been in Singapore for less than three years. • More frequent Job-hopper than ordinary Japanese. • Nine were contingent worker before they came to Singapore. • The Japanese women who migrated to Singapore were stimulated by the prospect of being able to obtain acceptable jobs there.

7. The decision to work in Singapore • They simply hoped to live in a foreign country • desire to make communication in English • Singapore is relatively a good alternative as a destination country. • Employment visa is reasonably available • Lower crime rate and higher standard of living • Spiritual push factor of Japanese society • Various gender disparities in the Japanese workplace • Life with parents • Necessary to show much concern for others

8. at the workplace in Singapore • Most of the Japanese women worked in Japanese companies in Singapore • and worked as clerks, sales staffs, or secretaries, which were also typical posts for women in Japan. • They usually served as assistants to male staffs, but, many of them did not care about it. • They have more opportunities to speak Japanese in office than they initially expected. • “You need more advanced English skill to work in an office of foreign company in Japan than to work here.”

9. life in Singapore • Residence • Those who were living alone: satisfied, although the rent was high. • Those who were sharing a flat: mostly satisfied. • “Flat-sharing in Singapore is better than living in small bed-sitting rooms in Tokyo.” • but felt some inconvenience because of the difference in living habits from foreign flat mate. • Food • Most interviewees prepared breakfast and supper for themselves • Strong attachment to and preference for Japanese food

10. Friend • Japanese women tended to find it difficult to form good relationships with Singaporeans • the differences of values and ways of spending leisure time • “Japanese girls tend to visit different spots than the Singaporeans do.” • “The Chinese Singaporean family ties are so strong that they prioritized spending their weekends with their families.” • They have relationship within a circle of Japanese friends • Strong empathetic bonds

11. Relationships with Japanese male representatives and prospect of marriage • Ambivalence toward the Japanese male representatives • Envy and jealousy toward their rich life • Prospective marriage partners • “Is he locally hired or a representative?” • Most of the interviewees more or less hoped to marry, some even stated that they wanted to be housewives

12. Rediscovering the Japanese identity • An interviewee was born and raised in a typical Japanese family in Kyoto. She said, • “I really hated the atmosphere of my old home. Now, however I find myself considering it as a typical Japanese home and am somewhat grateful for this experience.” • The “Japaneseness” • functioned as a spiritual push factor • Was mentioned as a precious thing that inspired pride

13. Returning to Japan? • Many interviewees hoped to live in Japan later in life • An interviewee who intended to return to Japan. • “When I picture myself living all alone in Singapore, I feel lonely because I have no family here.” • She first went to the U. S. to study at a university. At that time, she did not want to read Japanese news paper and to watch Japanese TV. Now, however, she said, • “I watch NHK and read a Japanese news paper after I came home from work.”

14. Conclusion • The Japanese women try to acquire a new identity by living in a foreign country. • However, the lives of Japanese women living in Singapore, to a considerable extent, are led according to the Japanese way of living. • They found that Japanese society was not “the place where they should be” and instead, sought this ideal place in Singapore. However, a life in Singapore made them reaffirm their Japanese identity. • Migrating to a foreign country is a physical movement. • It is also a spiritual journey of self-discovery and a discovery of inner Japaneseness.