James Toba
James Toba was born in 1980 in Fundong, Cameroon. As the oldest of five siblings, he grew up to be self sustained, helping his mother take care of younger siblings by operating a small shop in a town from the age of 19. He has a wife and six children living in Cameroon apart from him. Having arrived in Japan in December 2019, he currently lives in Japan as a refugee.
Becoming a Refugee
As a young male in the English-speaking part of Cameroon, James experienced a great deal of discrimination and violence before fleeing to Japan. Starting with how an enduring linguistic/political division between English and French-speaking populations happened, James talks about why he had to become a refugee by explaining who “Amba boys” are and four life-threatening incidents he encountered in Cameroon.
Identity and Religion
In adversities and in happiness, James Toba has embraced Christianity close to his heart. Zoom in to who James is as an individual and how Christianity plays a role in his decisions.
James’ Life in Japan
Even after James could escape to Japan where is so much safer than where he was in Cameroon, he faces a lot of difficulties on everyday basis here in Japan. Difficulties being as a refugee at the same time being as a black in Japan, difficulty with his current visa status which does not allow him to work, difficulty with COVID-19, struggles being far away from his whole family…. Take a look at James’ life in Japan to understand the situation of refugees in Japan better.
What It Means To Be A Refugee
As a real refugee, James defines who a refugee is and what it means to call yourself one. He also discusses the issue of “fake refugees” in Japan and how it harms refugees.
Team
An introduction to the team members who worked with James.
