The Emigration Policy of the Social Affairs Bureau, Department of the Interior in the 1920s

Abstract

From 1921 to 1929 the Social Affairs Bureau, Department of the Interior, encouraged emigration to Brazil, during the same period that social work in Japan expanded. This paper concerns the policy of encouraging emigration as a relief measure for unemployment after World War I. In this study I examine governmental assistance to the 'Kaigai Kogyo' (International Development Co., Ltd.' Emigration Consulting Company) during the early stage of this period, the first half of the 1920s. During this time, the Japanese government offered assistance to the Kaigai Kogyo in order to educate people who were interested in emigration, which also created the opportunity for cooperation with the employment services office. The emigration encouragement policy of the Social Affairs Bureau expanded gradually, and included such activities as financial assistance to the Kaigai Kogyo, offering compensation for the commission of each emigrant, and the provision of fare. In 1924, after forming such measures, the emigration policy functioned to some extent to deal with unemployment and overpopulation problems, and the desire to emigrate greatly increased. This trend, however, was created by the activities of the Bureau of Social Affairs and Kaigai Kogyo, rather than by a feeling that arose from the economic desire of emigrants. Thereafter, the provision of the cost of travel fare by the Japanese government and other such measures became the foundation of a national emigration policy. In 1928, the annual expenditure related to encouragement of emigration amounted to the largest budget for all social works. As a means of increasing employment, this plan of the Social Affairs Bureau was not exactly successful. However, because the emigration encouragement policy of Japan met with the demand for agricultural laborers in Brazil, consequently, many emigrants to Brazil were sent out during the first half of the 1930s.