A Champion for Global Human Mobility in a World of Division and Conflict

- You developed a passion for rugby early on and went on to study abroad in New Zealand in high school.

My dad got me into rugby when I was in third grade. The beauty of rugby lies in how it leverages the unique abilities of all 15 athletes. Rugby players are typically seen as big and strong, but there are positions where people with smaller builds can play crucial roles, too. As I started to play, I became captivated by the All Blacks, New Zealand's national team and a powerhouse in the sport. I kept telling my parents that I wanted to go to New Zealand, and with their support, I was able to go there to study in high school.

– Did you face any challenges communicating in English?

I started working on my English in junior high but still struggled with communication when I first arrived. It's a place where you have to assert yourself to survive, so initially I struggled before slowly honing my language skills. Our high school rugby team had four squads, and by my second year, I earned a spot in the top squad. My schoolmates always cheered me on, but I often found myself the target of harsh heckling from rival teams. At that time, people of Asian descent still faced deep-seated discrimination. Even some of my teammates resented me playing in the first squad. No matter how well I communicated, I couldn't change the fact that I was Japanese. It was painful, but it gave me insights into the feelings and experiences of minority groups. At the time, I never envisioned myself working for an international organization, but in hindsight, I realize that my time in New Zealand likely laid the foundation for my future.

- After graduating high school, you enrolled in the Faculty of Law at Keio University.

My time in New Zealand made me keenly aware of my Japanese identity. I considered continuing my studies abroad, but I realized how little I knew about Japan, so I returned home for university. I chose the Faculty of Law at Keio to deepen my understanding of issues such as racial discrimination and minority rights. I also continued playing rugby, spending four years with Keio's B.Y.B Rugby Football Club. I was serious about the sport, but I also had a lot of fun with my teammates. I joined the seminar of Professor Koichi Miki (now Professor Emeritus), an expert in civil procedure law, and wrote my thesis on alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

- Were you already thinking about working for an international organization like the United Nations by that point?

No, I didn't have a clear career path in mind yet. More than 80% of my classmates were preparing for the bar exam, but I had no desire to become a lawyer. When I sought career advice from my professor, he introduced me to a part-time job as a driver for a member of the Japanese Diet. I recalled driving for my professor during a seminar retreat where he complimented my driving, but to be honest, I never fully understood his intention. In any case, that job became a turning point for me. I didn't just drive; I also helped with office work. It was a valuable experience that gave me an inside look into politics and made me realize that I wanted to work on a global scale. After graduating from Keio in 2001, I enrolled in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in the United States, renowned for its international relations program. We studied international conflict resolution in class, and coincidentally, that's when the September 11 terrorist attacks struck the United States. Intense discussions erupted among my classmates from all over the world, and I felt the dramatic shift in global affairs firsthand.

- What career path did you pursue after completing graduate school?

I started my career in Sri Lanka for the NGO Japan Center for Conflict Prevention (now Reach Alternatives [REALs]), founded by Yasushi Akashi, a former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Sri Lanka, a country of diverse ethnicities and religions, was embroiled in a fierce civil war with Tamil separatist groups at the time. As a program officer, I oversaw reconciliation projects primarily aimed at youth for about a year and a half. After that, I worked as a researcher/advisor at the Japanese Embassy in Vienna, focusing on economic cooperation with countries that made up the former Yugoslavia. However, looking ahead, I realized it would be challenging to continue working on a temporary contract, so I applied for the Junior Professional Officers (JPO) program run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The program is designed for young Japanese individuals aspiring to build their careers at international organizations. Funded by the Japanese government, it offers participants opportunities to gain experience working for international organizations for a set period (usually two years). If your performance during the program is evaluated favorably, it can open the door to a full-time position. The program is highly competitive, and, in fact, I was only accepted on my third attempt. I chose the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for my JPO assignment because, during my time working at the embassy, I developed a strong interest in the IOM's wide-ranging work in human mobility, which includes everything from policy advice for governments to working directly with migrants—all grounded in human rights.

The first country I was assigned to was Zimbabwe in southern Africa, where at the time was experiencing a severe economic crisis caused by hyperinflation. Once a prosperous agricultural nation, Zimbabwe saw large-scale farmlands—once managed by white settlers under British rule—forcibly seized by the authoritarian regime, turning many farm workers into internally displaced persons. IOM negotiated with the government and collaborated with local staff to deliver emergency assistance, including food, essential supplies, and health and sanitation support to help the displaced sustain themselves. I worked in Zimbabwe for almost four years and became a professional staff member of IOM. Despite the political turmoil and economic hardship, I developed a deep appreciation for Zimbabwe's rich natural beauty. The climate was surprisingly mild, and, like Japan, Zimbabwe enjoys four distinct seasons.

- Were you posted in any other countries?

After Zimbabwe, I was assigned to Somalia and Iraq. In Somalia, due to frequent terrorist attacks, I commuted from our office in neighboring Kenya to assist victims of conflict and natural disasters and to provide vocational training for youth and war widows.

While stationed in Iraq, I was responsible for supporting a large number of people displaced internally due to the conflict with ISIS. The number of displaced persons had reached hundreds of thousands, which meant that setting up and managing camps to accommodate them became a monumental task. It was the largest project I'd ever done. Afterward, I requested a post at the IOM headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Having worked in the field providing direct aid, I was eager to gain experience in organizational management.

- In September 2020, you were appointed Chief of Mission for IOM Japan.

The Japan office was founded around 40 years ago to help with refugee protection and resettlement to third countries during the Indochina refugee crisis. Currently, we reinforce strong relations with the Japanese government, which is our substantial donor, and address many other migration issues in Japan. We support the voluntary return and reintegration of vulnerable migrants who wish to return to their home countries, but cannot do so due to financial and other reasons. We also assist the Japanese government's refugee resettlement program. We also conduct training programs for Japanese private companies to improve their capacity to protect migrant workers' rights. Since becoming Chief of Mission, I've been enjoying life in my home country after living many years abroad. My wife is from a rice farming family in Fukushima Prefecture, so during planting and harvest seasons, I help out with the farm work. I remember she used to grow vegetables while we were living in Zimbabwe. I'm deeply grateful for her support and flexibility in all the places we've lived, which has allowed me to pursue my career. In fact, my post after Japan is already confirmed—I'll be assuming the role of Chief of Mission at the IOM Myanmar office at the end of July 2024.

- What are the most important things to keep in mind when working as an IOM staff member?

I believe it's crucial to have a deep understanding of the lifestyle and culture of the local people. Equally important is the ability to empathize with minorities by asking yourself, "What if I were in their position?" In countries with fragile security, you also need to manage constant stress, so managing both your physical and mental well-being is critical. During my time in Somalia, for example, I unknowingly suffered from physical and psychological trauma.

- Could you say a few final words to current students?

Today, long-standing conflicts persist across the globe, fake news floods the internet, and divisions between people with differing perspectives and beliefs grow increasingly deeper. I hope young Keio students will develop strong information literacy. Be mindful that vulnerable groups, like migrants, are often targeted by malicious fake news. Conflicts and migration issues overseas are never simply "someone else's problem." These challenges are tied to your lives and futures as well. To expand your horizons, I urge you to meet and engage with as many people as you can and, if possible, put yourself in situations where you are the minority. Do this and you will unlock a world of new possibilities for your future.

- Thank you for your time.

Daihei Mochizuki
Representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Japan

*This article originally appeared in the 2024 summer edition (No. 323) of Juku.