Transnational Repression and Resilience in the Myanmar Diaspora

Workshop Series “Insider Perspectives: Scholars Investigating their Own Cultural Milieu in Japan” organized by Sophia University Institute of Comparative Culture Collaborative Research Unit Refugees and Migrants in Tokyo: An Oral Narrative Approach 

Date & Time: December 14th,

17:00-19:00 (JST) 

Format: ONLINE Only 

Please register from here: https://forms.office.com/r/DF1e9dcnc4 

As the fierce battles between Myanmar’s military junta and pro-democracy forces continue to rage on after the 2021 coup d'etat, the country has continuously seen mass exodus of young people trying to seek better education and career opportunities abroad. The number has only been escalating given the recent conscription law enacted by the junta that requires all men aged between 18 to 35 years and women aged between 18 and 27 to serve in the military. Meanwhile, 27,580 people including pro-democracy civilians and activists have been arrested by the junta, and 5,886, verified as killed (https://aappb.org/). 

What are the implications behind the mass departure of students and workers from Myanmar? What challenges do young people face overseas as the political situation back home remains unimproved – if not exacerbated already?   

Looking at the political turmoil as it keeps unfolding, four Burmese migrant students from Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand will talk about their experiences, observations, and positionality. 

Special Discussant: Tin Tin Htun (Professor, Sophia University) 

This event is organized by David Slater (Professor, Sophia University).