Understanding Moroccan Return Migration and Intermarriage Dynamics : The Case of Moroccan Returnees from Japan

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Authors

  • MOHAMED TAHAR ES SIDDIKI Department of English, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed Ⅴ University in Rabat, Morocco https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1680-8832
  • Dr. Rachid Toutou Professor at the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA) in Rabat, Morocco
  • Fatima Bourass French Department, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed Ⅴ University in Rabat, Morocco
  • Abderrazzak Kabbouri Professor at the Public Law Department, Center for International Studies of Security, Migration and Flows, Faculty of law and Political Sciences, University Ibn Toufail, Kenetra, Morocco
  • Dr Yumiko Nakahara Professor at Kyushu Sangyo University, Faculty of Economics Department of Economics, Japan
https://doi.org/10.55559/sjahss.v2i01.72

Keywords:

Intermarriage, Kokusai kekkon, Moroccan Returnees, Japan’s Migration Policies

Abstract

The aim of this study is twofold: Firstly, it investigates the role of intermarriage or ‘Kokusai kekkon’ with Japanese natives in facilitating Moroccan migration to Japan. Secondly, it aims to understand the factors which have pushed Moroccan migrants to return home. Over the last decade, a growing number of Moroccan migrants have relied on ‘Kokusai kekkon’ or ‘intermarriage’ with Japanese natives as a strategy to migrate to Japan. Nevertheless, many of these migrants return to Morocco after years of residence and work in Japan. The study takes the hypothesis of structural reasons in Japan and Morocco as the causes of this act. Drawing from in-depth interviews with six former Moroccan migrants who have returned to Morocco, quantitative and qualitative data was collected and analyzed to understand some of the reasons behind this return migration. The study showed that intermarriage was strategic to migration for the majority of the informants; however, it was not a sufficient factor to prevent their return to Morocco. It also revealed many structural factors in both Japan and Morocco that have encouraged this return; including the inability to generate savings, the incapability to remit as well as Japan’s restrictive citizenship requirements.

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Author Biographies

MOHAMED TAHAR ES SIDDIKI, Department of English, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed Ⅴ University in Rabat, Morocco

Es siddiki Mohamed Tahar was a scholar at Shimane University International Center in Japan for International Studies. He is currently a PhD researcher at the English department, Mohammed Ⅴ University, Faculty of Letters and Human sciences, Rabat, Morocco. He is preparing his doctoral thesis on migration and integration issues including identity construction, cultural integration of migrant communities in Morocco and Moroccan diasporas.

Dr. Rachid Toutou, Professor at the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA) in Rabat, Morocco

Rachid Touhtou. PhD. Associate Professor at the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA) in Rabat. Morocco. His academic interests include social sciences, languages and communication. Dr. Rachid is doing research on Social Movements, Human rights, Gender and Migration in post-Arab Spring Morocco.

Fatima Bourass, French Department, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed Ⅴ University in Rabat, Morocco

Fatima Bourass: PhD researcher at the French Department, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Mohammed Ⅴ University in Rabat, Morocco. She is currently preparing her thesis on role of media in linguistic integration of migrant minorities in the Moroccan context.

Abderrazzak Kabbouri, Professor at the Public Law Department, Center for International Studies of Security, Migration and Flows, Faculty of law and Political Sciences, University Ibn Toufail, Kenetra, Morocco

Abderrazzak Kabbouri: PhD. Professor at the Public Law and Political Sciences at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Ibn Toufail University, Kenetra, Morocco. Director of the Center for International Studies on Security, Migration and Flows. His academic concerns are migration, human rights policies, development, globalization and identity.

Dr Yumiko Nakahara, Professor at Kyushu Sangyo University, Faculty of Economics Department of Economics, Japan

Yumiko Nakahara. PhD. Professor at Kyushu University, Faculty of Economics Department of Economics, Kyushu Sangyo University, Japan. Her academic interests include international labour mobility in Japan and in Asia. She is currently involved in many joint projects with international companies.

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Published on: 07-02-2023

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How to Cite

ES SIDDIKI, M. T., Toutou, D. R., Bourass, F., Kabbouri, A., & Nakahara, D. Y. (2023). Understanding Moroccan Return Migration and Intermarriage Dynamics : The Case of Moroccan Returnees from Japan. Sprin Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(01), 08–22. https://doi.org/10.55559/sjahss.v2i01.72

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 01 (2023): Volume 02 Issue 01, Jan 2023

Section

Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2023 MOHAMED TAHAR ES SIDDIKI, Dr. Rachid Toutou, Fatima Bourass, Dr Yumiko Nakahara

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