Ecumenical concern for migrants

There were about 20 participants at the St. Andrei Anglican Church who gathered to share their involvement with migrants. Coming from various religious denominations, an American Catholic priest was present along with Korean and mostly Japanese representatives. Mr. Kurosawa and Minister "Victor" and another lady member of the Presbyterian Church brought partner Orly and me to this meeting so that we could share as well about the situation of Filipino migrants in Japan.

The main speaker was a lawyer who mentioned that some new provisions are being suggested to be included within the present Japanese Immigration policies. The provisions, according to him, seems to be a reflection of the world's, as well as Japan's response to terrorism. Migrants are going to be affected by stricter anti-terrorist policies in Japan, he informed everyone. Later on, Mr. Kurosawa clarified for us that foreigners may be required to submit to fingerprinting and to more personal registration data and procedures once the new suggestions are approved. This will make it harder for foreigners to overstay or to enter Japan using false travel documents.

Other participants shared what their churches or groups have been doing for migrants. Some have newsletters that carry information about fund-raising activities of particular foreign groups or about consultation windows and schedules for foreigners. Some discussed their network of collaboration with other groups, within and outside of Japan, to address problems and issues of migrants. Mr. Matsuda, of Tokyo's Kapatiran mentioned their need for more Filipino volunteers for their consultation hours.

Some of the problems raised during the meeting were labor-related ( such as non-payment of wages, abusive labor practices etc) and family-related ( such as domestic violence, education of children with both foreign parents, especially among the undocumented or what they call in Japan as bilog or overstayers).

Regardless of nationality, the problems seem to be similar and common among migrants. Aside from work and household-related problems, we were told by Fr. Jack and Neddie Codog of the Open House of the Urawa Diocese about personal problems experienced by our Filipino migrants, those who contracted HIV ( one died while one went home without being accepted back early on by the family - but was subsequently accepted ), dementia due to either heredity or stress of being in a foreign land , among others.

We have written about our detainees at various jails and centers in Japan. Like the ecumenical group that met in Yokohama and the Open House in Urawa, Saitama, the Catholic Church of Tsukuba, superbly led by Fr. Michael Coleman, is actively doing their share to alleviate the hardships experienced by foreign detainees, including Filipinos, at the Ushiku Detention Center in Ibaraki.

Last Sunday, the Church sponsored a walk for charity where members walked and/or donated or solicited donations for the Ushiku detainees. Despite the rain and the cold wind that morning, the participants, coming from various countries throughout the world, cheerfully walked in groups and completed 8 kilometers to express their love and concern for their detained brothers and sisters. The less than 3-hour activity was able to raise close to P200,000, an amount that amazed everyone who turned back in thanksgiving to the Lord for blessing the event with kind sponsors and donors!

Contrary to the common perception that being in a foreign country is like being in paradise, I overheard Filipinos during the walk say that " if our families back home only know how much we have to sacrifice and work hard, spend sleepless nights, and many lonely moments just to make their lives back home more comfortable, there may be less Filipinos who may wish to migrate abroad."

Still and all, we are sure that those who saw how the members of the Catholic and other churches and groups in Japan are actively and generously giving their time, effort, attention and other resources to show their concern for foreign migrants in Japan would find some room for peace to enter their hearts, knowing that they are never really alone, that there is a genuine ecumenical love and care for them all throughout Japan.

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