We held negotiations with the Ministry of Justice.

On Wednesday, June 22, 2011, APFS held negotiations with the Ministry of Justice. Three representatives from APFS, including Representative Director Kato, and four representatives from the Ministry of Justice, including Chief of the Trial Division Kuniaki Ishioka, attended the meeting.
These negotiations were made possible with the cooperation of the office of House of Representatives member Ryoichi Hattori.

Regarding the 18 families and 1 individual (43 people) who are undocumented immigrants and whom our organization supports, we made the following four requests:
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1. Please grant residency to undocumented immigrant families with children in the fourth grade or higher of elementary school.
2. Please grant special permission to stay to family members of those who entered the country illegally.
3. Please grant residency to the entire family (do not separate parents and children).
4. Please ensure that the couple can live together in Japan.
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Regarding point 1, we confirmed that the "10 years" in the section of the "Guidelines for Special Permission to Stay" under "Examples to be considered in the direction of 'Special Permission to Stay'," which states "living with and caring for and raising a biological child who was born in Japan, has been residing in Japan for 10 years or more, and is attending elementary or junior high school," is not an absolute standard. (It does not mean that residency will absolutely not be granted if the period has not reached 10 years.)
Regarding point 2, we confirmed that irregular entry (illegal entry) is merely one of the "other negative factors" among the negative factors.
Regarding point 3, we reaffirmed that the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice will not pressure individuals into separating their children from their parents.
Regarding point 4, we requested humanitarian considerations so that the couple could live together in Japan.

In addition, in front of the Ministry of Justice, 43 people from 18 families and 1 individual, including the parents (adults), made a protest requesting "special permission to stay in Japan."
APFS will continue its efforts to secure residency for 18 families and 1 individual (43 people). We appreciate your continued support and cooperation.