Supporting Trans Ainu Drag Refugee Research in Communities

I am an Ainu Trans masculine scholar in British Columbia. Initially, I sought refugee status while supporting Rainbow Refugee, a non-profit organization in Vancouver. However, I was accepted as a PhD student at UVic, which has made me eligible for permanent residency.

For me, returning to Japan is impossible because it's a dangerous country. Many Canadians travel to countries in Africa, China, Mexico, etc., where refugees come from. I'm in the same situation. While many people immigrate through conventional means, some become refugees. Japanese people have also been accepted as refugees.

Don’t join to privileged championship, please.

The issue is that people don't question individuals from Africa, but they constantly demand proof from me, causing significant harm and pushing me to the edge.

My research centers on queer, IBPOC, dance, and kink communities in British Columbia, Canada. Specifically, I am conducting a Para Ethnography to explore and document their experiences, drawing on my own identity as a member of these communities.

Please join me in my journey of fighting discrimination against multiple inter-sectioned identities. I firmly believe that everyone has the right to live safely, regardless of race, age, or gender.

This platform will help me raise funds so I can write dissertation papers and many articles as well as take action, and reach other places where minorities need motivation to thrive. Your donation will be of great help. Thanks in advance.


FAQ
1. What is “privileged championship” ?

When I explain the challenges I face in returning to Japan, many people compare their own experiences or those of their family and friends. This makes it hard for me to provide enough proof for everyone and pushes me to my limit.

This phenomenon is described in the book “Bad Feminist,” where the author, Gay, experienced burnout. I've encountered the same situation in Victoria with people from both Canada and Japan.

However, it's important to note that this reaction is common, and the real issue lies in the unfairness of the world.

Therefore, I ask that you avoid comparing everyone's toughness, especially if you are marginalized.


2. Example of my experiences and reasons for not being able to go back to Japan:

As a first-generation trans activist scholar and the first transgender studies full professor in Japan, I dedicated 16 years to my career. However, the immense pressure and challenges I faced led to burnout. Despite my accomplishments, my journey has been fraught with danger and discrimination.

I have survived attempts on my life by family members due to my gender identity. Additionally, I have endured ongoing experiences of sexual assault, making it difficult to feel safe and secure. Even routine activities like shopping are marred by frequent encounters with hate incidents, further exacerbating my trauma.

Compounding these struggles is the lack of access to social support and healthcare for my burnout. In Japan, there is a pervasive belief that success comes at any cost, leaving little room for prioritizing mental health.

These experiences have left me feeling trapped and unable to return to Japan. Without adequate support and understanding, there is no opportunity for healing or second chances in a country that does not value the well-being of individuals like me.


3. Why don't you work?

I can’t work because I haven’t had a work visa for over a year. Additionally, I don’t have MSP because of that.

If I want to work, and I have to work, but I can’t get a work visa because it’s very difficult to obtain. Also, I don’t have MSP and enough health insurance. Because it’s necessary to have a work visa to have them. For example, I have to pay $100 for a doctor's appointment, around $200 for a blood test of my testosterone level, and $400 for buying testosterone for a month. If I work underground, I can’t get a work permit.

Also, my health condition is still not good, but my PhD research project is a journey for my healing and processing. It involves looking for and exploring my people and experiences.

I always have been pushing to the limit because of misunderstanding that Japan is a good country and I can’t apply for refugee status in every life. I have a lot of hate incidents and microaggressions because of my gender expression, skin color, and lifestyle in everyday life in BC. But if I feel supported, I could recover, study, and work.

Also, I am neurodivergent. If I feel free and supported, I can do well. But I always feel unsupported and like I'm doing everything wrong. I am already starting to recover in very supportive environments in Vancouver. That’s why I could start this fundraiser.