A week-long sit-in protest was carried out in front of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau.

A group of 34 undocumented foreigners, consisting of 17 families and three individuals, conducted a "One-week Sit-in Action in Front of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau" from Monday, May 20th to Friday, May 24th, 2013. The 34 people come from eight different countries: the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Guinea, Mali, and Peru.

The purpose of this action was to inform as many people as possible that undocumented foreigners are seeking residence in Japan, and to request that the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Bureau grant them special permission to stay as soon as possible.

As they continued their activities in the rain and under the scorching sun, they garnered a lot of sympathy.

Many people who passed by the Tokyo Immigration Bureau joined us in our sit-in, demanding special permission to stay in Japan. Our actions were also reported nationwide through the media. We also received words of encouragement from people in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, who visited us to support the disaster-stricken area. They heard about our problem on the TV news and called us.

"Please don't break up my family," "I want to get a visa and start working as soon as possible for my family," "I want to give back to Japan," and so on. Each of them appealed their feelings in front of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau. The 34 people were not just acting for themselves. It was impressive to see them shouting at the top of their lungs, appealing for as many of their peers as possible who are suffering from the same problem to be granted special residence permission.

We submitted petitions to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau at the start and end of the action. The petitions will be delivered to the Director of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau.

In the afternoon, we went to the Ministry of Justice and submitted a request. Three people, including Mr. Aoyagi, Chief of the Trial Division, responded to us. The contents of the request are as follows:
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1. Please allow undocumented foreign families with children born in Japan to stay in Japan.
2. Please allow the residence of undocumented foreign nationals who are spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents.
3. Please allow undocumented foreign residents living alone to stay in Japan
4. Please rate your ability to integrate into Japanese society.
5. Do not re-interne or deport the 34 people, 17 families and 3 individuals.
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Just taking action and submitting a petition will not immediately grant special permission to stay in Japan. The 34 people, consisting of 17 families and 3 individuals, will continue to take action to seek special permission to stay in Japan. We appreciate your support and cooperation.

● Provide support through volunteering
This operation is supported by volunteers.
Why not join in as a volunteer?
To apply as a volunteer,HerePlease see here.

● Help with donations
Our activities incur a lot of costs. Please help us continue our activities by making donations.
About donationsHerePlease see here.

● Sign the petition
Among the 34 people, 17 families and 3 individuals, there are some who are conducting a signature campaign seeking special permission to stay in Japan.
We would greatly appreciate your cooperation in signing the petition. If you would like to help, please contact us at the address listed below.

[Contact for inquiries regarding this matter]
Non-profit organization ASIAN PEOPLE'S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY (APFS)
Address: 301 Maisonne Oyama, 56-6 Oyama Higashicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0014
TEL 03-3964-8739 FAX 03-3579-0197 E-mail apfs-1987@nifty.com