Developing identity, sense of belonging and social networks among Japanese immigrants in Scotland and Spain

This paper focuses on how Japanese immigrants who settled in Spain and Scotland are building new social networks and questions how this process changes the way they relate to Japan and their Japanese identities. A grounded theory approach was used to gather data for the study. The sample is composed of 14 immigrants interviewed in Scotland and 17 in Spain. Based on content analysis, the study found that both groups of immigrants emphasized five key elements in developing their new sense of belonging. These are: having a local partner; interest in the host country; workplace experiences; number of local and/or Japanese friends in their social network; and foreign language proficiency. Immigrant identity development is a dynamic process of construction in which both personal behavior and social aspects are involved.