I Lost My Muslim Identity: A Study of Indonesian Muslim Women Workers in Japan

Abstract

This research reviews how Japan has become an attractive destination for migrant workers and international tourists in Asia, especially those from Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. This research aimed to explore how Indonesian female nurses maintain their religious and cultural identity a midst these challenges. The growth of migrant workers from Southeast Asia to Japan began in the 1950s after Japan joined the Colombo Plan, and accelerated following revisions to immigration control laws in the 1980s. The government-to-government (G to G) internship program has also been implemented since 1990, with Indonesian participation since 1993. Even though industry is the backbone of the Japanese economy, the population of productive human resources has experienced a significant decline, which has an impact on industrial productivity. This research used a qualitative research approach based on understanding social realities formed through the context, culture, and subjective meanings held by the informants through their experiences during migration in Japan. To overcome this, the Japanese government has taken steps to open its doors to foreign workers, including from Indonesia. Indonesia is one of the largest suppliers of migrant workers for Japan, with various types of visas such as Technical Intern Training (TITP), Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), and others. However, nursing work is often socially associated with women. In Japan, Indonesian female nurses face complex challenges, including losing their Muslim identity. Revealing uniforms and external factors such as negative stereotypes, discrimination and forced removal of the hijab complicate the situation.