In a move met with opposition from various parties and rights groups, Japan enacted a new immigration law on Friday that grants the government the authority to deport failed asylum seekers.
The revised legislation allows for the deportation of individuals who have been rejected three times in their attempts to secure refugee status, marking a significant shift in the country’s immigration policies.
Previously, applicants were permitted to remain in Japan throughout the decision process, regardless of the number of asylum claims they had filed.
However, the amended law aims to strike a balance between protecting those who genuinely require refuge and cracking down on individuals who misuse the application system to avoid deportation, as stated by Justice Minister Ken Saito.
The debate surrounding the new law has intensified due to Japan’s historically low acceptance rate of refugees.
Out of approximately 12,500 applicants in the previous year, only 202 were granted refugee status, with an additional 1,760 individuals allowed to stay in the country based on humanitarian considerations. It is worth noting that Japan has also provided shelter to over 2,400 evacuees from Ukraine under a separate framework.
Activists have organized rallies to voice their dissent against the revised law, although a parliamentary protest from the opposition bloc was ultimately voted down by the ruling coalition, which holds a commanding majority.
Tensions escalated on Thursday within the parliament when opposition lawmakers confronted the chairman of a committee discussing the bill, attempting to prevent a vote on the proposed changes.
Critics, including the Tokyo Bar Association, have argued that it is unacceptable to deport individuals, even those with criminal records, to countries where their human rights may be violated and their lives and freedom put in jeopardy. The association emphasized the need to protect the fundamental rights of all individuals.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party maintains that the legislative amendments will improve access to medical care and accommodation options for individuals with pending asylum applications.
However, Japan’s immigration detention conditions have come under scrutiny following the tragic death of Wishma Sandamali, a 33-year-old Sri Lankan woman in 2021.
Although Sandamali was not an asylum seeker, she had been held for overstaying her visa after seeking police protection, reportedly to escape an abusive relationship.
Her family is currently seeking compensation of more than $1 million from the government, alleging that Sandamali received inadequate medical care despite repeatedly complaining of stomach pain and other symptoms.
The incident surrounding Sandamali’s death sparked controversy and political pressure, resulting in ruling lawmakers dropping a previous attempt to enact similar changes to immigration rules two years ago.
Shoichi Ibusuki, a lawyer representing Sandamali’s family, expressed strong opposition to the revised bill, equating it to having a “button to execute those who seek refuge by deporting them.” Ibusuki criticized Japan’s refugee recognition system, citing swift rejections and a lack of face-to-face interviews as ongoing concerns.
Amnesty International echoed these concerns in March, urging Japan to abandon the proposed revision to immigration laws. The organization criticized the country’s detention policies as “harsh” and “repressive.”
As Japan implements this controversial immigration law, it remains to be seen how it will impact the lives of asylum seekers and the overall landscape of immigration in the country.
Comments are closed.