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Paper short abstract

This study examines barriers for Filipina entrepreneurs in Japan. Interviews reveal that while gendered roles and limited capital hinder many, successful migrants leverage husbands' support and high emotional intelligence to navigate business challenges and social integration.

Paper long abstract

Female migrant entrepreneurs are at a disadvantage due to ethnicity and gender. Prior empirical research indicates that they experience barriers such as a lack of self-efficacy, family-related issues, and limited financial access. Nevertheless, some argue that marriage migrants can achieve success in both social integration and business through high Emotional Intelligence. The purpose of this study is to examine the difficulties faced by Filipino entrepreneurs residing in Japan and to determine whether Emotional Intelligence serves as factor in overcoming these challenges.

The qualitative research design was employed to gather data through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with Filipino entrepreneurs in Kansai and Tokai areas. Since the massive migration of Filipinos to Japan began in the 1980s and has been highly gendered—in terms of both volume and the mode of incorporation—the interviewees were female marriage migrants in their 50s-60s.

The main findings reveal that Filipino migrant entrepreneurs encounter a variety of barriers. This is reflected in the relatively small percentage of Filipino business owners among permanent residents, despite no restrictions on occupational choices regarding residency status.

High rate of intermarriage with Japanese men often led migrant Filipino women to become housewives and remain distanced from full-time, regular work. Consequently, start-up capital is often limited, and profits serve merely as a sideline for the household. Moreover, the types of business they launch demonstrate the gendered position of Filipinas in Japan: night pubs, snack bars, restaurants, and food stores in red-light districts. Furthermore, having children makes it harder to commit to the long hours at night required in these industries.

On the other hand, successful Filipina entrepreneurs leverage their husbands’ financial support, bank loans, and local networks—such as the Chamber of Commerce—when starting a business. Emotional intelligence plays an essential role at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey and in negotiations with family members, customers, or employees.

By highlighting the agency of these women through the lens of emotional intelligence, this study challenges the traditional “vulnerable migrant women” narrative and provides a more diverse understanding of migrant women.