Comparing the Experiences of Highly Skilled Labor Migrants in Sweden and Japan: Barriers and Doors to Long‐term Settlement

• DOI: 10.1111/ijjs.12054
• Publication Date: 2016-09-19T02:42:46Z
• Authors: Sayaka Osanami Tö...; Hilary J. Holbrow
• Keywords: Settlement (finance); Prejudice (legal term)

As labor markets become increasingly global, competition among industrialized nations to attract highly skilled workers from abroad has intensified. Spurred by concerns over future economic needs caused the demographic challenges of an aging population, both J apan and S weden have joined this global competition. This article examines apanese wedish immigration policies for migrants compares migrants’ experiences in two countries through interviews with these migrants. Despite weden's completely different approaches itself, countries’ policies, as well migrants, are strikingly similar. Highly experience language barriers prejudice countries, making it difficult build social networks natives. Career development seems be perceived a common problem, although less so weden, where more flexible. Overall, issues reduce apan's ability retain While they share similarities, famed work–life balance gender equality give edge which does not share. comparison identifies conditions facilitate or impede migrant settlement.