| ID | 111535 |
| Title Proper | Does ethnic origin determine integration success? a comparison of immigration policies in Germany and Japan |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Hein, Patrick |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The paper analyzes public policy and public opinion responses toward immigrants in Germany and Japan, two countries whose immigration policies have relied on blood purity (jus sanguinis). The paper retraces the rationale for jus sanguinis and contends that it was adopted at the turn of the century in both countries out of political convenience. The principles and goals of immigration policies are compared cautioning that better principles must not mean better outcomes.
It is reiterated that Germany has made a politically motivated move away from the ethnic monocultural concept, whereas Japan still hangs on more or less to the old model of silent and subtle assimilation. The more dissuasive Japanese model of tight immigration control, deportation and monocultural assimilation isthen compared to the more permissive German immigration model. A comparison of identity discourses in the form of Japanese Nihonjinron and German Leitkultur shows that both countries struggle with identifying and asserting their core values and that this has a negative impact on integration issues. The paper concludes that Germany has failed to bear the full consequences of its ambitious plans by taking into account the values, beliefs and worldviews of its immigrants, whereas Japan continues to treat immigrants as temporary guests denying any need for long-term integration. |
| `In' analytical Note | Asian Ethinicity Vol. 13, No.2; Mar 2012: p.161-185 |
| Journal Source | Asian Ethinicity Vol. 13, No.2; Mar 2012: p.161-185 |
| Key Words | Japan ; Germany ; Immigration ; Integration ; Ethnicity ; Naturalization |