The Global Society Review Vol. 5 highlights the Symposium held on June 15, 2025, and features papers, essays, and interviews, all exploring the main theme: “Economy × Inclusivity.”
1. On June 15, 2025, we hosted the symposium “An Inclusive Society and Innovation Discovery: Shaping the Future of Japan”
In the keynote speech “Immigrant Japan - On the Immigrant Society of Japan,” a leading researcher shared the latest information on Japan’s practices around immigration from the economic, social, and political perspectives.
Two panel discussions were held.
The first one, themed “Life and Living - Japan and the World for me,” featured speakers with foreign roots. The session emphasized the importance of mutual understanding, creating fair rules that are easy for everyone to follow, and making continuous efforts together to build a society where everyone feels at home. The second one, titled “Work and Economy - Diversity and Innovation,” brought together academics and business leaders to discuss topics such as the importance of post-acceptance support and the relationship between norms and innovation in a multicultural era.
Panel Discussion 1
Panel Discussion 2
2. The essay shows an expert’s nearly 35 years of experience at the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice, witnessing changes in immigration and foreign labor policies. It concludes with a vision for a society where foreigners are welcomed as neighbors, supported when needed, and encouraged to make their own efforts—so that “the vehicle of Japanese society” can keep moving forward.
3. One of the two papers reviews the expansion of the foreign labor market and its background, examines challenges in housing and living conditions, and stresses the need for changes in corporate and community mindsets—offering a vision for a multicultural society.
The other one explores immigration trends and long-term economic forecasts for Japan. With an expected annual net inflow of about 240,000 immigrants, it shows—supported by charts and graphs—that immigrant labor will remain essential for sustaining and driving Japan’s economic growth.
4. In August 2025, we held a roundtable with employees who have foreign backgrounds at Hitachi Global Life Solutions’ Tochigi works, discussing their workplace experiences, sense of fulfillment, and future aspirations.
A Roundtable at Hitachi Global Life Solutions
Multi Language Sign at Hitachi Global Life Solutions
5. The fifth installment of our series explores the theme “Japanese People Leaving Japan?” It provides data-based insights on key topics such as:
1) Are more Japanese moving abroad?
2) Changing patterns of overseas migration
3) Changes in Japanese communities overseas
4) Development of economic society and global migration trends
6. The relay talk introduced the activities of the “Easy Japanese” group at Juntendo University’s Faculty of Health Care and Nursing. The group promotes the practice and the spread of Easy Japanese through three pillars:
“Learn,” “Apply,” and “Widely spread.” It is the approach members study and practice every day -rather than just simplifying words, focus on adapting to the targeted person and making efforts to be understood.
