Across the Asia Pacific region, many communities and faith-based initiatives are responding to the realities faced by migrants, refugees, and other forcibly displaced people. While the Jesuit Refugee Service accompanies communities in several countries in the region, the latest issue of Diakonia highlights inspiring ministries in South Korea and Japan that reflect a shared commitment to solidarity, dignity, and welcome.

In Seoul, Yiutsari serves as a place of accompaniment for migrant workers, including those living in situations of legal precarity. Guided by Juchan Albert Kim, the initiative walks alongside migrants through pastoral care, community support, and advocacy. By creating a space where people are welcomed and heard, Yiutsari helps restore a sense of dignity and belonging for those often pushed to the margins.

In Kamakura, the Arrupe Refugee Centre offers hospitality and respite for people seeking asylum in Japan. Led by Kenji Arikawa and Yukako Matsuura, the centre’s mission is shaped by three guiding commitments: care, connect, and change. Through accompaniment, practical assistance, and community-building, the centre becomes a place where people on the move can encounter solidarity and renewed hope.

The Diakonia issue also reflects on the ministry of Jun Nakai, who accompanies families of Korean immigrants in Japan. Many of these families carry histories linked to forced labour during Japan’s occupation of Korea. His work highlights how pastoral accompaniment can also become a path toward healing memories and fostering reconciliation between communities shaped by a difficult past.

These initiatives remind us that accompaniment is not only about providing services, but about walking together in faith and hope. Through compassionate presence and commitment to justice, they witness to the Gospel call to welcome the stranger and uphold the dignity of every person.

For JRS in Asia Pacific, the witness of these ministries is a powerful reminder that even in challenging contexts, communities of faith can nurture a culture of encounter, solidarity, and reconciliation.

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