National Women’s Education Center of Japan

Focusing on the prevention of trafficking in persons (TIP) and the protection of victims in the eight participating countries as well as Japan, participants learned about various public and private initiatives and case examples, and exchanged their views. First half of the seminar through lectures and study tours was an introduction to public and private systems, and the initiatives taken based on the Japanese Government’s Action Plan of Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons. After the input, participants presented country reports and shared case examples while exchanging their views. Final Presentation and Discussion Seminar" participants affirmed the promotion of collaborative relationships in the ASEAN region on the eradication of TIP and the protection of victims from their standpoint.

1st week

On the first day, purpose of the training were explained in the orientation. On the 2nd day, visited to Cabinet Secretariat was conducted, where Japan’s implementation structure, publication of annual reports, outline of the actions taken by relevant organizations, statistics all based on the 2014 Action Plan of Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons were explaned. In the afternoon, participants toured the Tokyo Metropolitan Women’s Consulting Center facilities, and learned about the protection of victims by local governments.

On the 3rd day, participants visited social welfare corporation, Ichiryukai, and toured maternal and child self-reliance support facility and the children’s foster-care facility. They learned about the role each facility plays and its relation to the local community.

On the 4th day, participants met three multi-language　interpreters from Waelaa-Waaree that supports foreign victims of TIP and DV. Situation of clients and why the victims need long-term support and that cooperation between public institutions and the private sector is important were explained. In the evening was, a study tour organized by a general incorporated association, Colabo. After observing the situation in the streets of a bustling area, support activities Colabo offers in collaboration with local governments, such as providing a place for girls to stay were explained. Sexual exploitation of young adults is a pressing issue in every country and participants engaged in a lively exchange.

On the 5th day, the participants visited the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau. After a briefing by the bureau on cases of human trafficking, they took a tour of the facilities. In the afternoon, they were briefed by a representative of the National Police Agency on the crackdown on human trafficking crimes in Japan.

On the 6th day, the participants moved to NWEC to receive training. After a welcome address by a NWEC Vice President, the participants were explained on information dissemination, training, research, international contribution, and publications which NWEC works on to promote gender equality.

In the afternoon, country reports were presented by the eight participating countries, and a Q & A session was followed, further promoting mutual understanding of efforts being made in each country.

On the 7th day, the participants received a lecture by an officer of the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry about the project of women’s protection as well as the flow of protection of TIP victims. During a workshop with caseworkers from the International Organization for Migration, the participants engaged in role-play discussion. At the end of the day, group activity “power walk” was held and everyone reaffirmed the importance of “leaving no one behind.”

On the 8th day, the participants visited a general incorporated association Social Inclusion Support Center, and learned about the mechanism of Yorisoi Hotline as well as the whole concept of social inclusion having nationwide bases and connecting consulters firmly to social resources. They also visited the office of Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan (SMJ), and received a lecture on efforts being made by SMJ to eliminate discrimination against foreigners. They learned about difficulties foreign workers face in Japan, listened to TIP victims, and discussed about the human rights of migrant workers.

On the 9th day, a staff member of a public interest incorporated foundation Kanagawa International Foundation talked about efforts the foundation is engaged in to realize a society where foreign residents in Japan can live with a sense of security. The participants learned about livelihood information leaflets they create in various languages; cultural activities that connect communities with foreign background; support for Japanese language classes; counseling and support activities in line with life courses from prenatal to employment. In the afternoon, three lawyers from Lawyers for Trafficked Victims gave lecture, and the participants engaged in a lively exchange of questions and answers based on TIP cases.

On the 10th day, a specialist from JICA’s Office for Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction talked about efforts JICA is making in the ASEAN region. As measures against underlying causes of TIP, the participants also learned about businesses that contribute to women’s financial independence and empowerment.

On the 11th day, the "Final Presentation and Discussion Seminar" was held at JICA Tokyo Office as a compilation of the training. In addition to lecturers who provided cooperation to the training, experts and representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, international organizations, private organizations, embassies in Japan attended the session. At the beginning, Professor Chiyo Ogaya of Ferris University gave a lecture on gender and migration. Then, the seminar participants presented what they learned through the two-week programs, as well as anti-TIP measures and action plans in their respective countries. At the end, everyone joined in reading out the statement of determination to eradicate trafficking in persons.

On the 12th day, a training review session and a closing ceremony were held.

Having finished the two-week training, the participants who are overseeing anti-TIP measures in the ASEAN region made feedback comments that, through lectures, study tours, and discussions with the other participating countries, they gained a deeper understanding about anti-TIP efforts being made in ASEAN countries. Comments include “I learned a lot about the protection of victims and the prevention of TIP”; “I gained more skills and knowledge”; “I was able to make a comparison with the other participating countries, and learned about the need of gaining cooperation of people involved and networking with neighboring countries”; and “Considering the future of the hotline, I thought that cooperation of Southeast Asia will be important.”

NWEC expresses the deepest gratitude to the relevant ministries and agencies (Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the National Police Agency), prefectures (Tokyo and Kanagawa), embassies, international organizations, anti-TIP networks, private support organizations, experts, and networks engaging in support activities that offered considerable cooperation to lectures, exchange of opinions and study tours.