Gurung Nissan (right), from Nepal, laying out futon mattresses at Ginshotei Awashima, a Japanese hot springs inn in Oigami Onsen, Japan. — ©2024 The New York Times Company
NGU Thazin had a dream – to leave the hardships of her war-torn homeland, Myanmar, and build a better life in Japan.
After completing a degree in chemistry from one of Myanmar’s top universities, Thazin set her sights on Japan, a nation renowned for safety and stability.
Subscribe to The Star Yearly Premium Plan for 30% off
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App.
Monthly Plan
RM 13.90/month
RM 9.73/month
Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.
Annual Plan
RM 12.39/month
RM 8.63/month
Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
The Japanese dream
Winda Zahra, a worker from Indonesia, with a resident at a care home, in Maebashi, central Japan. — ©2024 The New York Times Company
Ngu Thazin, at the shared house where she lives with other foreign workers, in Maebashi, Japan. — ©2024 The New York Times Company
Ngu Thazin, at the shared house where she lives with other foreign workers, in Maebashi, Japan on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Noriko Hayashi/The New York Times)
Ngun Nei Par (right), the general manager at Ginshotei Awashima, talking with service staff from Myanmar and Nepal in Numata.
Ngun Nei Par, right, the general manager at Ginshotei Awashima, talks with service staff from Myanmar and Nepal, in Numata, Japan on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Noriko Hayashi/The New York Times)
Ngun Nei Par, the general manager at Ginshotei Awashima, graduated from a university in Myanmar with a degree in geography, in Oigami Onsen.
Ngun Nei Par, the general manager at Ginshotei Awashima, graduated from a university in Myanmar with a degree in geography, in Oigami Onsen, Japan on Saturday, August 3, 2024. (Noriko Hayashi/The New York Times)
