Kirk here with a fairly extensive article about the internationalization of Kumamoto that is being accelerated by the arrival of TSMC. Here’s a quote that I found particularly interesting:

— start quote — The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) set up a committee in May to advance discussions on the acceptance of foreign nationals. Keidanren Chief Tokura Masakazu often quotes Swiss author Max Frisch who wrote “we asked for workers; we got people instead.” When workers are called in from overseas to tackle labor shortage, the country who invites them only deems them as “labor power.” However, the workers who actually come are, of course, people who have families and lives. — end quote —

The original German seems to have been “Wir riefen Arbeitskräfte und es kamen Menschen” and here is the Japanese text on which the English has been based:

— start quote — 5月末。経団連は外国人政策委員会を立ち上げた。外国人の受け入れ環境の整備など、課題について議論を進めるとしている。会長十倉雅和氏が好んで引用する言葉の一つに「労働力を呼んだが、やってきたのは人間だった」というものがある。スイスの作家の言葉だ。 要するに、人手不足で海外から働き手を呼ぶときに、呼ぶ方は「労働力」という頭しかない。しかし、実際に来るのは当然ながら「労働力」ではなく「人間」で、すなわち家族もいれば、働くだけではなく、生活をする。異国で暮らすということはさまざまな困りごとも出てくるし、子どもの学校や友だち、言語の問題、生活習慣やルールの違い、医療へのスムーズなアクセス、とさまざまな対応が必要となる。 — end quote — https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/economy/dd95386e8dec4a739a12866a739a1549

I think I had come across this Max Frisch quote before for reading this article, but searching for the original quote in preparation for writing this post has made me realize that Frisch is often cited in Japanese-language discourse about immigration – and I’m glad that he is. On the other hand, I’ve been a bit bothered by the extent to which the expression “外国人材” (gaikokujinzai; foreign-born human resources) has become so popular as to supplant the term “外国人” (foreigner) in many contexts. The most egregious case was a notice I found on the internet that was addressed to “Gaikokujinzai” working in Kumamoto. Unfortunately, I can’t find it now, but I felt it was like writing “Dear foreign-born human resources,” at the top of a letter. I may be a “resource” to you but I don’t consider being a “resource” for local businesses as my identity, thank you.

https://www.ntv.co.jp/englishnews/articles/2021kg1wqap98nousbdf.html