Rafaela Yoshioka

I am a fourth-generation Japanese Brazilian who came to Japan when I was two years old and grew up in Shiga Prefecture. Drawing from my own experience of growing up as an immigrant in Japan, I am engaged in educational activities, career support, and research aimed at creating a society where immigrants can study, work, and live with confidence and peace of mind.

My main research focuses on educational opportunities and social participation for immigrants in Japan. In particular, I seek to understand how immigrants—who often face economic and institutional barriers to education—utilize non-formal educational resources within their home countries or ethnic communities to build various forms of capital and improve their well-being.

In addition to research, I run a career support program for immigrant youth, offering guidance on education paths, scholarship applications, and information about Japanese universities. I work closely with each individual so they can discover their own worth and confidently envision their future.

At the UTokyo Center for Global Education (GlobE), I work as a specially appointed lecturer, primarily involved with the Tokyo Forum. Through ongoing conversations with students passionate about building a diverse and inclusive society, I continually see the power of education to bring about social change.