Intersections of Migration, Aging, and Transnational Care: Japan’s Long-Term Migrants and Their Approaches to Parental Aging and Familial Obligations

Within the context of contemporary migration patterns, interest in the intersectionality of aging is growing. Contrary to neoclassical migration theorists, the reciprocal dynamics of migration and economic/ social remittance flows do not uniformly offset economic/ social imbalances between sending and receiving nations. Additionally, conventional anticyclical migration, characterized by a youthful workforce influx into the global North juxtaposed with exportation of unemployment and retirees to sending countries, is not universally applicable. This is highlighted by growing numbers of migrants establishing permanent residency in destination countries. The primary research question presented is: how long-term migrants in Japan address issues of parents’ aging in their home countries and care in transnational spaces. To address this, we qualitatively analyse migrants’ experience in Japan, focusing on Filipinos, nationals of former Soviet Union (FSU) countries, and Westerners (including the U.S.A. and EU nationals). This study compares gendered perspectives on aging parental care within Filipino, FSU, and Western contexts. By examining the attitudes, choices, and adversities encountered by migrants and their transnational kin networks, we explore notions surrounding familial obligations and care responsibilities. This presentation analyzes the self-reflection of migrants in Japan toward permanency, residential itinerancy, and transience. It further evaluates the influence of interconnectedness with family, social networks (linked lives), and support systems (digital kinning) on migration experiences and in shaping later-life prospects. We also discuss the role of digital kinning in migrants’ lives and how technologies affect perceptions of family. This study contributes to intersections of migration, family dynamics, and aging, offering critical insights into the changing landscape of familial structures amidst the backdrop of global migration trends. These findings provide actionable recommendations for policy reform and welfare enhancements within origin and destination countries, underscoring the necessity of responsive and inclusive care frameworks in an era of transnational mobility.