Topic: Rights of Immigrants
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Wenliang Ma
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Japan position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
Immigrants have the basic liberty to live and enjoy life. The biggest problem that Japan sees that limits country growth is strict immigration policies. Developed countries are experiencing a population and workforce crisis. Long life expectancies and low birth rates are forcing developed countries to outsource jobs to underdeveloped countries. Japan believes that if all 1st world and 3rd world countries agree to a less strict immigration policy, the economic sectors and citizen rights will be raised in developed and underdeveloped countries respectively.
Japan understands that certain problems can happen with mass immigration. Namely changing of culture or taking over of a country. We hope that certain precautions can be put into place. Workers and immigrants can be given a special work VISA that will allow them to stay for a certain amount of time. Certain citizenship laws and tests can still be set based on countries, however work VISAs should be based on an international law.
Japan believes that countries such as Bulgaria, Armenia, Greece, and Russia would be allies to the idea of a less strict international immigration policy. Since most of the listed countries are developed countries with a declining population, new sources of labor are needed to keep the industrial sectors running. Other countries such as Indonesia, Mexico and African countries could be slight advocates since this would be an opportunity to increase their own citizens’ standard of living. Japan’s Idea is not to make it easier for an immigrant to gain citizenship but make it easier for immigrants to migrate and apply for jobs.
If falling populations are not addressed in developed countries, there could be deflation and decreased pressure on infrastructure, education and other public services. Although the standard of living in a population could occur, the guaranteed high taxes offset this benefit. In developing countries this would be a great opportunity to gain revenue. 3rd world countries could also use this opportunity to train their citizens in skilled jobs.
Japan believes that if jobs are more readily available for immigrants, jobs would not have to be outsourced, a steady economy can be obtained, and immigrants will have opportunities not available in their home country. Work VISAs and immigration laws should be set on an international standard. This would reduce a lot of confusion for immigrants and allow a smoother transition. Citizenship rights and tests should still be set based on differing countries however. The UN should encourage nations to provide immigrants with a basic level of healthcare to improve the welfare of all.
