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«IZVESTIYA IRKUTSKOGO GOSUDARSTVENNOGO UNIVERSITETA». SERIYA «POLITOLOGIYA. RELIGIOVEDENIE»
«THE BULLETIN OF IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY». SERIES «POLITICAL SCIENCE AND RELIGION STUDIES»
ISSN 2073-3380 (Print)

List of issues > Series «Political Science and Religion Studies». 2025. Vol 54

Problems of Internationalization at Home in Japan’s Regions (the Case of Aomori Prefecture)

Author(s)

Yu. A. Lamasheva

Pacific National University, Khabarovsk, Russian Federation

Abstract
The study considers the process of domestic internationalization occurring in Aomori Prefecture (Japan). Domestic internationalizations refers to the transformation of internal regional environment leading to development of multicultural community. This process in Aomori is aimed at improving demographic situation, which is also a problem for other prefectures. The point is in turning temporary visitors into resident population. There are several groups which are both subjects and objects of domestic internationalization, namely international tourists, students, technical trainees and the JET Program participants. The research is aimed at naming and describing problems, which foreigners are facing in Aomori. The problems are connected to the language barrier leading to limited communication, insufficient access to social services (education, healthcare), and rare opportunities for involvement in community activities. We come to the conclusion that Aomori Prefecture is preparing for transformation from mono-ethnic Japanese society to multicultural community, giving priority to attracting international students and trainees and making business out of international tourism. However, domestic internationalization requires involvement of not only regional authorities, but also of all members of local community, both Japanese and foreign.
About the Authors
Lamasheva Yulia Alexandrovna, Candidate of Sciences (Politics), Associate Professor, Higher School of Social and Political Sciences Pacific National University 136, Tikhookeanskaya st., Khabarovsk, 680035, Russian Federation e-mail: yuliya_lamasheva@hotmail.com
For citation
Lamasheva Yu.A. Problems of Internationalization at Home in Japan’s Regions (the Case of Aomori Prefecture). The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Political Science and Religion Studies, 2025, vol. 54, pp. 93-105. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2025.54.93 (in Russian)
Keywords
domestic internationalization, Aomori Prefecture, international tourists, international students, technical trainees, the JET Program.
UDC
327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2025.54.93
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