ISLAND HISTORY: Japanese migration & Robert W. Irwin, ‘The Father of Japanese Immigration to Hawaii’ – The Garden Island Newspaper

Historical Analysis of Japanese Migration to Hawaii through the Lens of Sustainable Development Goals

Early Cross-Cultural Exchanges and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The historical narrative of Japanese presence in Hawaii begins with informal cross-cultural interactions that predate organized migration. These early encounters are foundational to understanding the long-term development of inclusive societies and the reduction of inequalities.

• Circa 1300s: According to legend, the first Japanese individuals arrived in Maui after their ship was blown off course. Their subsequent integration into Hawaiian society through marriage represents an early instance of building inclusive communities (related to SDG 11) and fostering cross-cultural understanding, a key component in reducing inequalities (SDG 10).
• 1806: The arrival of eight shipwrecked survivors from the “Inawaka-maru” marks another significant early contact. Their temporary stay in Honolulu further illustrates the nascent ties between the two cultures.

Organized Labor Migration and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The mid-19th century saw the beginning of organized labor migration, a phenomenon directly linked to economic growth but fraught with challenges related to decent work standards.

1. 1868: The first group of 153 Japanese immigrants arrived as contract laborers for Hawaiian sugar plantations. This migration was a direct driver of economic activity in the Hawaiian Kingdom.
2. Contract Violations: Widespread complaints from these laborers regarding contract violations highlighted a significant failure to uphold the principles of decent work (SDG 8). This lack of fair treatment and justice led the Japanese government to bar further emigration, demonstrating the critical link between labor rights and international relations.

Diplomatic Frameworks and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The resolution of labor disputes and the establishment of a stable migration system required strong institutional and diplomatic efforts, reflecting the core tenets of SDG 16.

• 1885 Treaty: Robert Walker Irwin, serving as the Hawaiian Kingdom’s Minister to Japan, negotiated a formal immigration treaty. This act established a strong institutional framework for migration, aiming to ensure a more just and orderly process than the previous system.
• Facilitated Migration: Irwin personally oversaw the arrival of the first two contingents under this new treaty, totaling 1,873 individuals. His efforts earned him the title “The Father of Japanese Immigration to Hawaii” and underscore the importance of effective diplomacy in managing migration.
• Symbol of Inclusion: Irwin’s 1882 marriage to Takechi Iki, the first legal union between an American and a Japanese citizen, served as a powerful symbol of building peaceful and inclusive societies through personal and institutional connections.

Large-Scale Immigration, Community Building, and Legislative Impacts

The period from 1885 to 1952 illustrates the complex interplay between large-scale migration, community development (SDG 11), and national policies that either promote or hinder the goal of reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

• 1885-1924: Over 200,000 Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii, profoundly shaping the social, cultural, and economic landscape. Their integration contributed to the development of diverse and resilient communities (SDG 11).
• 1924 Immigration Act: The United States legislation effectively banned Japanese immigration, creating a significant institutional barrier and reinforcing inequality on a national and international level.
• 1952 McCarran-Walter Act: The passage of this act renewed emigration from Japan, representing a crucial step toward dismantling discriminatory policies and advancing the goal of reducing inequalities between nations and peoples.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article’s core theme is the migration of Japanese individuals to Hawaii to work as “contract laborers on Hawaiian sugar plantations.” This directly involves issues of employment, labor rights, and economic migration, which are central to SDG 8. The mention of “contract violations” specifically highlights the challenges in achieving ‘decent work’ for these migrant workers.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • This goal is relevant as the article discusses international migration and the policies governing it. The narrative traces the evolution of migration policies between Japan and Hawaii/USA, from recruitment and treaties to outright bans. This directly relates to managing migration to reduce inequalities and ensure it is safe and orderly.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article touches upon the legal and institutional frameworks governing migration. The negotiation of an “immigration treaty between Hawaii and Japan” is an example of building strong institutions for international cooperation. Conversely, the “U.S. Immigration Act of 1924,” which banned Japanese immigration, can be analyzed as a policy that was discriminatory, running counter to the principles of justice and inclusion promoted by SDG 16.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers…
   • This target is directly addressed by the article’s mention that the first group of contract laborers “complained of contract violations.” This indicates a failure to protect the labor rights of these migrant workers and points to an unsafe or insecure working environment, which consequently led Japan to bar “further emigration from Japan to Hawaii.”
2. Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
   • The entire article is a case study of this target. It describes the initial, poorly managed migration of 1868 that led to problems. It then details the implementation of a “planned and well-managed migration policy” through the 1885 treaty negotiated by Robert Walker Irwin, which “paved the way for significant migration of Japanese to Hawaii.” The subsequent legislative acts (the 1924 ban and 1952 renewal) further illustrate the role of policies in managing migration flows.
3. Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.
   • This target is highlighted by the reference to the “U.S. Immigration Act of 1924,” which specifically “banned” Japanese immigration to Hawaii. This act serves as a clear example of a discriminatory law based on national origin. The later passage of the “McCarran-Walter Act” in 1952, which “renewed” emigration, represents a policy shift away from such explicit discrimination.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

1. Indicator for Target 8.8: Frequency of reported labor rights violations.
   • The article implies this indicator through the statement that “many of their fellow contract laborers complained of contract violations.” While not a quantitative number, this serves as a qualitative measure of the failure to protect workers’ rights.
2. Indicator for Target 10.7: Number of migrants under managed policies and existence of bilateral agreements.
   • The article provides concrete numbers that can be used as indicators for migration flows under specific policies: “153 in number, arrived in Hawaii from Japan in 1868,” the “first 943” and a “second contingent of 930” in 1885, and “over 200,000 Japanese immigrants” between 1885 and 1924. The “immigration treaty between Hawaii and Japan” is an indicator of a formal policy mechanism.
3. Indicator for Target 16.b: Existence of laws and regulations that discriminate on the basis of national origin.
   • The article explicitly names such laws. The “U.S. Immigration Act of 1924” is a direct indicator of a discriminatory law being in force. The “McCarran-Walter Act” of 1952 serves as an indicator of the repeal or amendment of such a discriminatory policy.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thegardenisland.com