Migration infrastructure and Nepali student-migration to Japan

2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13923
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: SHRESTHA TINA 早稲田大学, 高等研究所, 講師(任期付) (10832470)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: student mobilities / education intermediaries / Nepal / Japan

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

I continued conducting in-person fieldwork in relevant Nepali student and migrant communities in Tokyo. I followed-up with research participants and conducted Zoom and telephone interviews with those located in Gifu, Okinawa, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. As part of my ongoing research on Nepali student mobilities and migrant labor regularization, I continued with primary and secondary data collection and contextualization : (i) discourse analysis based on media representations, including online news and social media outlets (English and Nepali language) and online platforms used by Nepali students and migrants living in Japan; b) additional inquiries specifically related to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on participants' education aspirations, career trajectories, employment prospects, and overall livelihood in Japan.

I presented my research findings and papers at domestic and international conferences and workshops:
a) Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Feb. 21-22, 2022 ; and b) American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting, Baltimore, November 18- 22, 2021

I have been engaged in data coding, transcribing, and analyses for research outputs. Several of my research papers have been accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journal articles.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

In terms of online interviews, research is progressing smoothly. But due to the travel restriction measures I have not been able to visit field sites outside Tokyo or in Nepal.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

I plan to continue with online interviews and visit field sites in and around greater Tokyo. I plan to make several trips outside Tokyo this academic year given that the travel measures have eased within Japan. I will also be continuing my participation and research presentation in international conferences and workshops either online or in-person depending on the travel restriction measures and guidelines. Finally, I will be submitting articles in international, peer-reviewed journals.

Causes of Carryover

Given the travel restriction measures I was not able to travel to Nepal. I primarily conducted fieldwork in and around Tokyo as well as online interviews and group meetings with many of my research participants. As a result, I am planning to use the incurring amount for travel in next fiscal year.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Educational aspirations and labor of Nepali students in Japan (2022)
  • Author(s): Tina Shrestha
  • Journal Title: Special Issue Chiri: Japanese Journal of Geography Volume: 67 Pages: 43-48
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] “Casualties of infrastructural re-construction: Nepali student-migrants, suspended mobility, and the COVID-19 pandemic governance in Japan" (2022)
  • Author(s): Tina Shrestha
  • Organizer: Infrastructures and Im(mobile) lives: interruptions, failures, and repairs
• [Presentation] “Credibility, claimant-testimony, and the frame(s) of victimhood in the US asylum process" (2021)
  • Author(s): Tina Shrestha
  • Organizer: Truth, Responsibility, and Accountability in Asylum Engagements: Refugee Epistemology and Fugitive Anthropology
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Book] Language Communities in Japan (2022)
  • Author(s): John Maher, Tina Shrestha, Lucila Etsuko Gibo, Norie Oka, Junko Hibiya, Kazuko Matsumoto
  • Total Pages: 252
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press
  • ISBN: 978-0-19-885661-0