Global Scale
One of Africa’s oldest republic nations, Liberia has faced two civil wars in the past 20 years and it’s cultural background continues to be a factor for Liberian refugees to flee their country. Being a child refugee, Ozzy, trusting her parents’ decisions, fled the country after her mother’s dangerous experiences of persecution in Liberia which eventually led them to Japan.
Early Years in Japan
On the last days of 2017, Ozzy and her family were stopped at Narita airport while trying to transfer to Canada where they planned to seek asylum. 2 days later she was separated from her mother, who was taken to the detention center and found herself in a children facility in Chiba with her little sister Chloe, 3 at the time.
New Struggles: Provisional Release
Leaving the facility in Chiba and moving to Tokyo was the start of a new phase for the family, now on Karihoumen status. Now a school student in Japan, Ozzy learns how to navigate the restrictions of the status that denies her a work permit and health insurance.
Relationship with Japanese Immigration
After 3 years of a pending refugee application, Ozzy shares her opinion towards Japanese Immigration, having to renew her status every 3 months with a continuous worry about the possibility of deportation.
Integration in to Japanese Society & Ozzy’s Future
Having been reunited with her mother now, Ozzy had a new life to start in Japan. She is now to make deeper connections with the Japanese society and the people she will meet. However, all of that first excited Ozzy, became harder with time and she had to find her way out of it each time. Currently, her biggest struggle is to figure her future out in Japan.
Team
An introduction to the team members who worked with Ozzy.
