Based on a ten-year research project, this paper examines the process of Asian immigration in Tokyo's inner city areas. Between 1988 and 1998, Asian immigrants have changed from sojourners to settlers. Three distinct stages of Asian immigration had been observed. The first stage was marked by the growing concentration of Asian immigrants in the inner city, the majority of whom were young, unmarried Chinese. During the second stage, those already in Japan started to send for other family members and friends to join them. In the process, ethnic communities spilled over to the adjoining suburbs; social services and support systems also developed to meet the needs of the growing communities. Some of the processes observed during the third stage are increasing diversification of the inner city and the acquisition of Japanese citizenship for some groups such as the Chinese and Taiwanese. New phases of Asian immigration are likely to emerge which may imply further changes for Japanese urban society.

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Japan Asian immigrant inner city area urban society Tokyo Honshu immigrant population