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Contemporary Japanese Migration Process in Spain: Cultural Boundaries and Social Networks



Author(s)

Jordi Martinez-Callaghan, Marta Gil-Lacruz, Ana Gil-Lacruz

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DOI:10.17265/2161-6248/2015.01.007

The host society plays a fundamental role in the development of both the sense of belonging and social networks, especially in the field of international migration. The sample of this study is made up of 44 Japanese residents in Spain. Information was obtained using in-depth interviews. The results show that the new migratory strategies of the Japanese favour the construction of new social networks with multiethnic enclaves. This, in turn, contributes to the favourable development of a sense of belonging to the host society. Furthermore, five key variables were identified in this process: (a) Spanish family and friends; (b) interest in some specific aspects of the host society prior to the settling down phase; (c) workplace environment; (d) ethnic heterogeneity and use of support networks; and (e) level of proficiency in Spanish.

sense of belonging, social networks, Japanese community