In Japan, the mother of a 12-year-old Thai girl is fervently advocating for her daughter's transfer to the country. The news comes amidst a wave of immigration cases involving minors. The mother sees Japan as a destination that offers better opportunities for her daughter's future, despite the challenges that may come with adapting to a new culture and environment.
In the context of this news, the idea of international child transfers and immigration is a sensitive issue in Japan. The country traditionally values its homogeneous society, but recently, Japan's declining birth rate and aging population have ignited conversations about immigration for demographic sustenance.
In the United States and the European Union, there is generally more acceptance of immigration, driven by a long history of cultural diversity. While child protection laws are stricter, there are more channels and processes in place to provide support for young immigrants in the US and EU compared to Japan.