Fiji Islander trans-border mobility in the Pacific: The case of Fiji and Japan

Abstract

This article is concerned with Fiji Islanders in Japan. Its objective is to introduce a to date little explored case of Pacific Islander trans-border mobility within the Pacific region. After providing a general overview of the topic, it discusses two of the main reasons why Fiji Islanders spend shorter durations or migrate for (in)definite periods to Japan in more detail: education and professional sport. Although the paper focuses on Fiji and Japan, the discussion points at two structural undercurrents that characterize Pacific Islander mobility more generally and aims to appeal to a broader audience interested in Pacific Studies.

Keywords

• fiji
• japan
• pacific rim
• mobility
• migration