The accidental migrants: analysing the outward migration narratives of British female graduates to Japan
This paper explores the narratives of British female graduates who moved to Japan for the purpose of work. It analyses their outward migration stories, finding that many sought to overcome a lack of self-confidence and a perceived dearth of career opportunities for female graduates at home. It finds...
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| Published in: | Oral history (Colchester) 2022-04, Vol.50 (1) |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | eng |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | This paper explores the narratives of British female graduates who moved to Japan for the purpose of work. It analyses their outward migration stories, finding that many sought to overcome a lack of self-confidence and a perceived dearth of career opportunities for female graduates at home. It finds that they were additionally influenced by male colleagues and boyfriends, and by a cultural trend towards going abroad after graduation. Japan was not a desired destination and many knew little about it, viewing it as a liminal space where they could gain skills and work experience that could grant them access to fulfilling careers on their return home or on migration to a third country. Narrating their migrations as 'accidental' highlights their stories as gendered testimonies. Unlike male informants, the women perceive a lack of agency in their journeys, necessitating 'tacking' strategies to achieve life goals. They also appear to reject a collective identity as migrants or a sense that their journeys are complete. |
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| ISSN: | 0143-0955 |