Have you ever heard of “Ashita no Ie”? On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Room 103—located just across from the English Center—serves as their office. They have been operating there for some time, but I am not familiar with who they are or exactly what they do in connection with St. Ignatius Church.
One day, a staff member approached me and handed me their Annual Report; unfortunately, it was all in Japanese! In a follow-up email, she wrote, “I hope that we can help each other more than ever during this difficult time in the world. We would be glad to assist you.” Out of curiosity, I used Google Translate to read the report and discovered a wealth of information that I felt needed to be shared with the English-speaking community.
The Priest-in-Charge. Here are excerpts from Fr. Joseph Thanh Nha, SJ, in his Greetings: "Whatever you did to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40).
The Ashita no Ie (House for Tomorrow) Project at St. Ignatius Church in Kojimachi was established in 2020, and this year marks its Fifth Anniversary. The philosophy behind it includes the following concept: "'Recharge' to face 'tomorrow,' and find the 'tomorrow' you desire."
While the Catholic Church may not have significant economic or political power, we believe in taking action, even when certain realities make it challenging to achieve our goals. Rather than doing nothing, we have chosen to make a difference wherever we can.
Life is often unpredictable, and setbacks are inevitable. Many foreigners living abroad face sudden challenges, such as unemployment or the loss of residency status. One of our primary goals is to provide a supportive environment for individuals to "recharge" when they move into Ashita no Ie. Even if someone faces failure, it's important to remember that it doesn't mean their life is over. We launched this project with the hope of helping individuals start anew and rediscover their strength to face "tomorrow." Over the past five years, many of our residents have been refugee applicants, and they are often foreign nationals.
As many of you know, the Japanese government is slow to recognize refugees and does not immediately expel them. Instead, they have established a system of provisional release, which can leave individuals in limbo while they await a decision. Unfortunately, provisional release does not allow people to work, resulting in difficult living conditions. We aim to provide safe lodging for these desperate refugees, allowing them the chance to calm down, reflect on their circumstances, and prepare for their next steps.
Currently, we operate three shelters in Tokyo, each with a total of three rooms. Due to the limited number of rooms, we recognize that we are not adequately meeting the needs of these refugees. While we wish to provide more support, our resources are constrained, and we are aware that there may be limits to what we can accomplish. Nonetheless, we are committed to doing our best with what we have. We look forward to your continued cooperation and support.
Fiscal Year 2024. In FY24, the majority of residents were foreign nationals. While the overall number of residents remained roughly stable, the average length of stay increased slightly to 61.5 days, up from 39.2 days the previous year. There was also a slight increase in the number of shortened or extended stays due to changes in circumstances during residency.
The age range of residents was wider than ever, spanning from 0 to 80 years old. Approximately 70% of residents were relatively young, under 30 years old. Among them were families with children, individuals near or after pregnancy or childbirth, as well as several elderly residents needing medical or welfare support.
In terms of relocation, an increasing number of residents were able to move into relatively safe, medium- to long-term housing through public programs such as welfare assistance and mother-child dormitories. This transition highlighted the significant benefits of having a fixed address. Another notable observation was that many residents were able to return to their home countries with the support of various organizations.
From Ashita no Ie's New Staff. It's been almost a year since I started working as a staff member for the Ashita no Ie Project. Without this experience, I would never have realized that there are people in the world living in unreasonable and harsh conditions, constantly fearing for their lives. I would never have encountered individuals fleeing their home countries, determined to escape to a foreign land they have never known. I would not have understood the struggles of foreigners who, due to barriers related to their residency status, find it difficult to make a living and endure the cold while searching for a place to live.
In today's suffocating Japanese society, we often hear the term "illegal residents" used to paint them as villains who disrupt public order. However, every foreigner I meet through my work at Ashita no Ie is a survivor who has fled persecution and human rights violations. They have come to Japan seeking hope for a better life, even if it meant leaving the familiar comforts of their home countries.
Despite their difficult experiences, when we visit shelters, we are greeted with smiles and witness their determination to survive within Japanese society. We remain committed to speaking out, even in small ways, against the trend of excluding people under the guise of maintaining public order and disregarding the injustices they have faced, as well as their inherent right to life. We will continue to do what we can to protect the future of those in need, regardless of whether they are Japanese or foreign. “We want Ashita no Ie to operate for as long as possible,” said Fr. Nha.
Sr. Flor Florece, F.I.