This online webinar, conducted as part of JCIE’s program on Immigration in Japan, brought together around 110 researchers and representatives from local governments, NPOs, the media, foundations who are involved in promoting multicultural coexistence in Japan. The objective was to discuss the findings of a JCIE survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on foreign residents in Japan. The survey was carried out in May 2020 to help assess the influence of COVID-19 on immigrants living in Japan, as well as the status of local government policy measures.

In addition to presenting the findings of this study, the webinar included two guest panelists who examined the way in which the needs and concerns of foreign residents have been addressed during the pandemic, such as the provision of multilingual support, the status and ways in which local governments and other organizations have been working together,  and the importance of a guaranteed safety net for foreign residents in Japan.

The results of the survey suggest that local governments are still in the process of constructing a system to address the apprehension and concerns of foreign residents in Japan and that there is a renewed need for a system that improves both the quality and effectiveness of responses and support based on the needs and reality of the immigrant community.