The second generation’s experiences
Though it is an extension of the first generation’s issues, the experiences of the
second generation are in some respects quite different from those of first generation
Vietnamese refugees. Firstly, the majority of the second generation
was raised inside the Japanese education system. Most of the day they spend in
school and after school they also spend time with Japanese friends. For them,
Japanese language skills are no longer a serious problem. On the other hand,
since they have less opportunity to learn Vietnamese and Vietnamese culture,
there can be rifts with the first generation in terms of having a common language
in which to communicate inside the family. Whereas first generation
Vietnamese refugees had a very limited choice of job due to their lack of Japanese language skills and limited understanding in Japan of their situation, second
generation has wider future economic and career choices. They have acquired
Japanese fluency and their comprehension of Japanese values is similar
to that of other Japanese who grew up their neighbourhoods in Japan. This
explains why there can be cases where children are actually able to facilitate the
integration of their own parents by what they have acquired. (Nishino, Kurata
2001:33)
The second generation themselves are aware of the differences with the first
generation. As one of the interviewees expressed it:
‘You know, my base is in Japan. I am too ‘soaked’ in the Japanese cultural
space. So even though my father and myself have been in Japan for
the same period of time, we think differently about many things. I am
from Vietnam but for me, Vietnam is a foreign country. I don’t remember
Vietnam. When I came to Japan, I was 5, and I was a refugee. But
now I am ‘new style’ and ‘refugee’ is my past.’
What this conveys is that he also sees himself as not Japanese like others and
not Vietnamese like his father, but a new one. However, there still seem to be
some obstacles to ‘new style’ living in Japan for second generation Vietnamese.
This implies that language fluency and an ‘insider’ understanding of Japanese
culture do not automatically make participation in Japanese society smooth for
“non-Japanese”. The particular focus here will be on obstacles of education
and employment.