Paper short abstract:

Identity construction and mobility experiences of Japanese-Filipinos in transnational field has been an ongoing topic of children and youth migration studies. Particularly, this study seeks to shed light on their lived experiences as children of transnational families.

Paper long abstract:

Recent studies of globalization and migration have found remarkable shift and significant roles of female migrant workers known as "feminization of migration". However, this adult-centered perspective has made children and youths invisible and has put them in a vulnerable position in migration studies. Specifically, this study seeks to understand the mobility experiences of children of Filipino and Japanese unions. Majority of these children are known to have Filipina mothers and Japanese fathers owing to the Filipina women migration to Japan as 'marriage migrants in rural villages' in 1980s and 'entertainers' in 1990s.

As a research in progress, the researcher intends to analyze their mobility experiences through case studies. Their shared mobility experiences may have motivated children and youths to either visit or settle in Japan in the future. Further, this paper aims to review Japan government's stand on its Jus sanguinis-based 'nationality' policies, as a bureaucratic route, and how it has changed overtime (Suzuki, 2009). Their right of acquisition of their Japanese nationality has been fought by several groups including non-government organizations, lawyers and represented by their Filipina mothers. Such amendment has enabled Japanese-Filipinos increase their mobilities and thus, fueled their active participation in transnational sphere.