Realization of a Multicultural Society

Prefecture's Efforts to Date

With the progression of social and economic globalization and the declining birthrate and increasing elderly population, it is necessary to realize a multicultural society where anyone can participate in the regional communities and everyone's rights are respected regardless of one's nationality or ethnicity in order to aim for a prosperous region full of vitality.

Currently, 16,000 foreign residents are living in Miyagi Prefecture, and it is anticipated that this number will increase due to future accumulation of companies in Miyagi. Therefore, it is necessary to build a system so that everyone can co-exist, maintain the base of activities, and develop community leaders.

Through the formation of a multicultural society, it can be expected that the maintenance of a comfortable living environment for foreign residents will be an incentive for researchers and international students enrolled at educational institutions, those who are settled down, as well as companies attracted to Miyagi.

Given this, the prefecture was the first in the nation to implement the Ordinance Pertaining to the Promotion of the Formation of a Multicultural Society in July 2007. Based on this ordinance, the Miyagi Prefecture Multicultural Society Promotion Program was laid out in March 2009 and the fundamental direction and principal efforts of future policies on multiculturalism are being established.

The multiculturalization efforts require response across various areas, as these efforts are a part of internationalization and living policies and focus on foreign residents in Miyagi as the target group.

Basic Beliefs

Under the cooperation of the local municipalities and the prefecture's citizens, the Miyagi Prefecture Multicultural Society Promotion Plan is steadily advancing forward, people of different nationalities and ethnicities are recognizing one another's different cultural backgrounds, and efforts for the formation of a regional community where everyone lives as an equal member of society will be implemented.

Not limited to Miyagi Prefecture, national and local government offices, businesses, the prefecture's citizens, and related organizations collaborate in various areas while carrying out individual roles. In addition to implementing educational programs for the purpose of mutual understanding, the prefecture will maintain an environment where foreign residents can flourish and leave at ease by carrying out efforts to support daily life, such as the provision of multilingual information and the improvement of consultation services.

Efforts

• Ordinance Pertaining to the Promotion of the Formation of a Multicultural Society
• Miyagi Prefecture Multicultural Society Promotion Plan
• Promotion of a Multicultural Society Formation
• Removing the "Awareness Barrier"
• Removing the "Language Barrier"
• Removing the "Lifestyle Barrier"