Developing multicultural intergroup dialogue at a Japanese university

Toward sustainable and holistic international student support

Authors

  • Tomoko Tokunaga University of Tsukuba
  • Akira Sawata University of Minnesota
  • Yoshiyuki Kawano University of Tsukuba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/wbf7bw59

Keywords:

diversity and inclusion; intergroup dialogue; international students; Japanese higher education; social justice; student support; sustainability

Abstract

While Japanese universities have adopted intercultural collaborative learning (ICL) to promote holistic international student support, ICL often lacks a social justice framework necessary for sustainable and equitable practices. This study addresses this gap by integrating intergroup dialogue (IGD)—a social justice pedagogy—into ICL. It examines how international and domestic students raise awareness of diversity, equity, and sustainability issues by participating in multicultural IGD at a Japanese university. We co-developed a workshop with a company and conducted interviews. The findings revealed that IGDs empowered international students and affirmed their identities, increased domestic students’ critical consciousness, and improved advocacy attitudes while addressing challenges in institutional change. 

Author Biographies

  • Tomoko Tokunaga, University of Tsukuba

    TOMOKO TOKUNAGA, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Human Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, Japan. Her major research interests include immigrant education, identity and belonging, youth empowerment, and participatory action research (PAR). Email: tomokot@human.tsukuba.ac.jp

  • Akira Sawata, University of Minnesota

    AKIRA SAWATA is a PhD student in higher education, minoring in anthropology and feminist & critical sexuality studies at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, USA. Their research focuses on queer and trans studies in education, international higher education, political interference in universities, and affective and temporal discussions in cultural anthropology. Email: sawat045@umn.edu

  • Yoshiyuki Kawano, University of Tsukuba

    YOSHIYUKI KAWANO is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Human Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, Japan. His major research interests include the development of support systems for LGBTQ+ students, clinical psychological support, and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in higher education institutions. Email: kyoshiyuki@human.tsukuba.ac.jp

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Published

2026-02-05

How to Cite

Tokunaga, T., Sawata, A., & Kawano, Y. (2026). Developing multicultural intergroup dialogue at a Japanese university: Toward sustainable and holistic international student support. Journal of International Students, 16(2), 115-134. https://doi.org/10.32674/wbf7bw59