Photography: Victoria

This is Victoria and her children. Victoria is originally from Tanzania but has been living in Japan for the past 9 years. Her husband is Ugandan and their children were all born and raised in Japan. They speak only Japanese and go to Japanese schools like other children their age.

Due to Japanese law the children are not considered Japanese citizens. Victoria’s husband, a boxing trainer, has permanent residency, Victoria has temporary refugee status, and the kids need the government’s permission to stay.

Victoria, despite having three children, is not allowed to join the national healthcare system and is not allowed to work.

ビクトリアとそのこどもたちです。タンザニア出身ですが、9年間前から日本に住み始めました。夫はウガンダ人、こどもたちは日本で生まれ、日本で育ちました。日本語しか話せません。そして、他の子どもたちと同じように小学校に通っています。

しかし、日本政府が子ども達を日本人として認めていません。夫がボクシングのコーチで永住権を持っていますが、ビクトリアさんは難民認定を申請しています。子ども達も在日する為に許可も必要だそうです。

こども3人がいてもビクトリアさんは健康国民保険に入れないし、仕事も禁止されています。

Breakfast / 朝ご飯
The children have never met their grandparents or relatives / こどもたちは祖父母や親戚に会ったことがありません。
Ugandan souvenir and boxing calendar /ウガンダのお土産やボクシングカレンダー

2 responses to “Photography: Victoria”

  1. Hi Sean, thank you for the gentle content, I appreciate it. I too moved here in 2011. Ended up in Matsumoto, following an Arboricultural trail. I found your blog when researching Moots frames, my eye fell into your great photographs. Again, thank you. I feel that our paths may cross one of these days. Until then..

    Like

    1. Thanks! I’m happy you like the photos.

      By the way, it was 2001 when I moved here permanently, not 2011. Matsumoto is a great city.

      Like

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