The beginnings of the multiculturalization of Japanese immigrants to Australia: Japanese community organizations and the policy interface

Interviews with leaders of Japan Clubs and other organizations of Japanese permanent residents in major Australian cities reveal that the activities of these organizations have been involved with Australian multicultural public policies since the 1990s. This 'multiculturalization' has emerged from the leaders' recognition of the need to provide educational opportunities for Japanese language and culture for the second generation, and culturally appropriate social welfare services for aged Japanese immigrants. Through these activities, leaders of Japanese community organizations refer to other ethnic groups and redefine themselves as members of Australian multicultural society. At the same time, they also recognize and reconstruct their own Japaneseness in the context of Australia. The activities of these organizations can be seen as a first step in the change from 'Japanese in Australia' to the hyphenated 'Japanese-Australian'.