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Helping Immigrants Access Aid in Japan

Evacuation zones around Fukushima Daiichi

Map showing the evacuation zones around Fukushima Daiichi, site of a nuclear accident caused by the earthquake [link].

Japan is still working hard to recover from the powerful 2011earthquake on the northeast coast that left 20,000 people dead or missing. The three northeastern prefectures are still devastated, under the shadow of the nuclear accidents from the power plants damaged in the earthquake. The long-term health effects are still unknown.

Who UUSC supports

  • Immigrants (largely from Brazil, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines) — including immigrant workers and immigrant women who have married Japanese men — whose legal status and lack of Japanese language skills isolate them from aid
  • Women, who face particular obstacles to accessing assistance in the wake of this disaster

What UUSC does together with grassroots partners

Helps immigrants find voice and support services

With the FACIL Multi-Language Center: Launched a multilingual radio program developed and staffed by immigrants that reaches 20,000 non-Japanese-speaking residents, giving them access to vital information about services, employment, and assistance.
With the Solidarity Network for Immigrants and Workers (IJUREN): Built, equipped, and staffed a unique community-run multilingual support center in Minami Sanriku, one of the affected communities. The community center provides special outreach to immigrants and elderly, including a community dining hall, help with documentation, connection to services, and coordination of volunteers. The Minami Sanriku center has successfully taken off and raised its own funds to continue.
With the Trans-Pacific Research and Action Institute for the Hisabetsu-Nikkei (TRAI) and Sister (CHAMAE): Established a multilingual domestic violence hotline for non-Japanese-speaking women affected by the earthquake. TRAI/CHAMAE obtained government funding to help staff the hotline, which receives 50 calls a day and links women to services and support.

Works to ensure that women's rights in disaster are recognized and addressed

With Rise Together, a coalition of women's groups: Carried out broad-based research with women who were affected by the disaster to put together concrete recommendations for the Japanese government to make their disaster policies gender sensitive. Municipal and provincial governments are now incorporating those recommendations into their plans.

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