![This research is possible due to a grant received from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science as a part of research project " Marriage/Divorce Migration Network in Asia" [2011-2013, No. 232510006, Kayoko ISHII].](image/header.gif){kind=small}
Objective
Purpose of the Study
This research project aims to analyze the (re)migration network in relation to cross-border intimacy within Asia. There are 3 particular themes that are focused on: (1) Chain migration networks of marriage migrants (2) (Return) migrants by divorce (3) Following migrants as "children" of marriage/divorce migrants.
Marriage migrants have been a popular target of sociological/anthropological research for the last few decades. Indeed, the number of marriage migrants has expanded worldwide since the 1980s. However, little known research has focused on "divorce" migrants and children of marriage/divorce migrants, even though the increase in cross-border marriages has corresponded with an increase in cross-border divorce.
In this research project, we will focus on not only marriage migrants but also divorce migrants and resulting child migrants of marriage/divorce migration.
Scope of Study
Both marriage and divorce can be defined in a diverse way. Especially when dealing with cross-border marriage/divorce, some cross-border marriages are registered in one country but not in another, although cross-border marriages/divorces should have relation to at least 2 countries—the "original" countries of the man and woman. Furthermore, children are born even from unmarried couples—sometimes between men and women unwilling to marry, or even men and women who could not make contact with each other at the time of the child’s birth. The background of migration in relation to cross-border intimacy is really diverse.
Migration caused by marriages does tend to have fewer troubles compared to (return) migration caused by divorce or the migration/visa status of mixed children born out of unmarried/anonymous cross-border intimacy. Within this research project, the scope of the research is not limited only to marriage/divorce. All kinds of migration in relation to cross-border intimacy, as mentioned above, shall be included in the scope of this research.