Symposium — “Co-creating Sustainable and Inclusive Migration Governance: Lessons from Multi‑Stakeholder Collaboration across East and Southeast Asia”
Thursday, 6th August 2026 at 13:30 - 16:40 (JST)
Venue: Online & International Conference Hall, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Tokyo (Invitation only for in-person attendance)
Registration: Through SPF Website (please register by Wednesday, 5th August 2026 at 12:00 JST).
Languages: English/Japanese with simultaneous interpretation
Across Asia and globally, expectations for governments and businesses to uphold human rights in migration governance are evolving rapidly. Countries are strengthening labour mobility systems and introducing new due‑diligence requirements following the development of international frameworks on Business and Human Rights. Together with emerging regulations in major markets, companies are increasingly expected to demonstrate greater transparency, responsible business practices, and meaningful engagement with rights holders and affected communities. As migration becomes one of the major and complex political issues in many countries, governments are increasingly expected to design systems that are not only efficient but also aligned with international standards.
Japan is also at a pivotal moment. Major reforms are underway, including the transition from the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) to the new Employment for Skills Development (ESD) scheme, and the implementation of the 2nd National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Under the “Comprehensive Measures for Promoting a Society of Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals,” a number of practical measures are being discussed. As Japan deepens its economic and diplomatic ties with Southeast Asian countries and relies more heavily on migrant workers from the region to address labour shortages, developments within ASEAN offer important lessons for Japan’s evolving approach.
Following the creation and the launching of BEBESEA in 2018 as a partnership program between Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) in Indonesia and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), BEBESEA continues to become the advocacy platform that facilitates multistakeholder cooperation across borders. This initiative hopes to consistently strengthen cross‑regional collaboration and ensure that the experiences of migrants, their communities, and civil society actors inform policy discussions in both origin and destination countries.
Against this backdrop, this symposium organised by HRWG and SPF invites participants to explore recent regional developments and reflect on lessons from BEBESEA initiatives that work collaboratively with impacted communities, their supporters, civil society organisations, and experts with lived and learned experience to influence regional and national policy developments in the ASEAN region and engage with business actors in East Asia. By convening experts and key actors, the event aims to deepen understanding, foster dialogue, and support meaningful multistakeholder engagement in shaping migration governance that is effective, sustainable, and grounded in real‑world experience.
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Opening Remarks
Mr. Itsu Adachi, Executive Director, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Background & Purpose of the Symposium
Mr. Daniel Awigra, Executive Director, Human Rights Working Group
Panel Speakers
<Session 1> Evolving Migration Governance & Business and Human Rights
[Speakers]
Prof. Motoko Shuto, Professor Emerita, University of Tsukuba
Dr. Andika Wahab, Deputy Director & Associate Professor, Institute of Malaysian & International Studies (IKMAS), The National University of Malaysia (UKM)
Ms. Akiko Sato, Attorney At Law, Kotonoha Law
Dr. Jotaro Kato, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Meiji Gakuin University
[Moderator] Ms. Mariko Hayashi, Co-Founder, BEBESEA
<Session 2> Lessons from Cross‑Regional Multi-stakeholder Collaboration
[Speakers]
Ms. Mariko Hayashi, Co-Founder, BEBESEA
Mr. Lennon Ying-Da Wang, Director, Department of Policies on Migrant Workers, Serve the People Association
Dr. Razel Andrea Navalta, Programme Officer, ASEAN-Japan Centre
Ms. Masako Iwashina, Program Officer, Social Innovation Program, West Asia and Islam Unit, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
[Moderator] Daniel Awigra, BEBESEA/HRWG
Reflection & Closing Remarks
Mr. Ken Aoo, Director, Social Innovation Program, West Asia and Islam Unit, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
