Internationalization within Ourselves: Human Rights and Social Welfare

The main objective of this study is to discuss human rights and social welfare for foreign residents in Japan from an interdisciplinary perspective. This study is significant, not only in building closer relationships between other countries and Japan, but also in understanding Japanese systems and multidimensional perspectives concerning human rights and social welfare for the foreign residents in Japan. I introduce the current system for foreign residents of Japan and point out problems that arise from the Japanese government's policies. Currently, the Japanese government adopts a restrictive policy concerning social security benefits to foreign residents in Japan. In the national pension law and three other welfare laws, only those who hold Alien Registration Cards are permitted to apply for these programs. Numerous foreigners cannot receive benefits due to the government's passive or negative views about them. Therefore publicity activities for social service for foreign residents is not actively pursued, except in some local governments. In this study, I compare social service programs for foreigners in Japan with those in Europe and America. In addition, I discuss American empowerment models, group work programs, and other relevant programs for minority group. Comparative studies are very useful in solving such problems and building a new system for foreign residents. This is a new challenge for the Japanese government as well as individual Japanese citizens in preparing to build a new country with international perspectives in the 21st century