National Women’s Education Center of Japan

The seminar was a combination of an online orientation session and on-demand self-study prior to the visit to Japan for approximately 2 and a half weeks. Seminar focused on measures on prevention and protection of victims of trafficking in persons in the participating countries and Japan. It also aimed to learn from initiatives in both public and private sectors, good practices through interactive discussions.

In the online orientation, each participant presented their inception report summarizing an overview of the roles and activities of their organizations, respective duties and challenges in combatting trafficking in persons. Also, on-demand videos were available that briefly explained about the National Action Plan against trafficking in persons by the Japanese government (the Cabinet Secretariat), and roles and activities by networks for supporting migrants (Japan Network Against Trafficking in Persons (JNATIP), Thai Network in Japan (TNJ)) and Mekong Migration Network (MMN).

Following the program orientation, participants presented their country reports that described the current situation, challenges, and good practices against trafficking in persons in each country. While different regions have different challenges, participants confirmed the intensifying risks associated with the migration across the borders because the problem had grown its complexities due to the accelerated prevalence of the digital technology.

Dr. Oberoi from UN OHCHR delivered a lecture on "Cyber Scam Operations and Trafficking in Persons in Southeast Asia”. The participants actively discussed how to deal with the increasing number of victims who have been deceived into online fraud, particularly becoming conspicuous since the COVID-19 pandemic.

On visit to the Cabinet Secretariat, the participants learned current situation and the government’s measures against trafficking in persons in Japan.

In addition to the statistics of trafficking in persons, the lecture by the National Police Agency pointed out the importance of raising awareness. Participants took interests in a budget for creating promotional videos for the general public, promotion of anonymous reporting dials, and efforts to collaborate with NGOs, diplomatic missions abroad, and private companies.

At the Immigration Services Agency, measures against trafficking in persons were presented, including recent cases of victim support, and took a tour of the facilities. In order to protect victims of trafficking in persons. The Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT) explained the roles and activities of OTIT.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) presented the practices based on a victim-centered approach, such as the importance of assessing the safety of victims after they return home. A wide range of opinions were exchanged on the damage caused by trafficking in persons in each country, together with an interactive activity to realize our preconceived notions of victims and perpetrators of trafficking in persons.

The Tokyo Women's Counseling and Support Center presented the support services available at the center such as medical services and assessment by psychologists and learning assistances for accompanying children of the women facing difficulties. It was explained that the center supports victims of trafficking in persons of foreign nationals in cooperation with IOM while taking into account the cultural differences such as languages and diets.

The participants visited a social welfare cooperation in Chiba Prefecture that supports victims of domestic violence who are both Japanese and Foreign nationals. While visiting a medium to long term shelter run by the organization for survivors of domestic violence and trafficking in persons. The founder explained her aspiration to help both Asian and Japanese children together which expanded to the various forms of survivor-centered services.

Ryoko Minagawa, an attorney lawyer of Lawyers for Trafficked Victims, who supports victims of trafficking in persons, talked about the legal framework and its practical applications to prosecute the perpetrators of trafficking in Japan. Her lecture also touched on cases of online sexual exploitation and legal support by the lawyers.

The NPO PAPS highlighted the increasing assistance needs for victims of online sexual exploitation. The participants pointed out that cooperation by the online platform companies for tackling the issues was critical, as the online exploitations aggravate its seriousness in the participating countries.

The general incorporated association, Social Inclusion Support Center briefed on the outlines of hotline operation by private organizations and the accompaniment support to the people who need assistance. Participants raised many questions, ranging from the establishment of specialized consultation lines and SNS consultation for disaster hit areas and multi-lingual consultation lines, along with the self-care of the staff. Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan (SMJ) explained how they raise awareness to support migrant workers facing difficulties and fund-raising action for those who were excluded from the cash transfer program for all Japanese during the COVID-19 pandemic. With regard to assistance for technical intern trainees, SMJ underscored the need for a system that protects migrant workers’ human rights and ensures a safe and secure environment when welcoming migrant workers to address domestic labor shortages.

The lecturer by JP-MIRAI explained the multi-lingual consultations operated by the collaboration of public and private sectors, including companies and business associations to realize responsible and inclusive society for migrant workers. The lecture touched on the operation of a platform that provides information and support in building network, as well as training and learning sessions for the companies to receive migrant workers.

Reiko Harima, Regional Coordinator of the Mekong Migration Network, explained the activities for protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers in the ASEAN region. The participants discussed the responsibilities and concerns to receive large numbers of migrant workers derived from political instabilities and disasters, and reaffirmed the needs of collective actions with neighboring countries to address the issues.

Participants presented individual action plan which underlined challenges they face in their own countries as well as the lessons learned in this program. The themes of the action plans covered a wide range of areas, including effective public awareness, protection of victims of trafficking in persons, strengthening multi-lingual support, efficient data management, inter-agency collaboration, and revision of laws and internal guidelines.

At the closing ceremony, each participant received a certificate of completion.

NWEC sincerely appreciate all the individuals of the relevant ministries and agencies (the Cabinet Secretariat, the National Police Agency, Immigration Service Agency, OTIT), local government (Tokyo), international organizations, private-sector support groups, experts, and networks engaged in support activities, who offered a great deal of cooperation in giving lectures, opinion exchanges, and visits for carrying out this seminar.