We have launched the "Path to Hope Project - Calling for the Legalization of Undocumented Immigrants"

APFS launched the "Path to Hope Project - Calling for the Legalization of Illegal Immigrants" in June 2014.

In Japanese society, there are many people whose existence is forgotten and who cannot speak out, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and undocumented immigrants. The "Path to Hope Project" aims to create a tolerant society where everyone can live comfortably.
The "Path to Hope Project" focuses particularly on undocumented immigrants, aiming to amplify their voices. We strive to create a tolerant society where undocumented immigrants can live more easily. We will work hand-in-hand with the elderly, people with disabilities, and others to expand our network of support.

On Sunday, July 20th, our affiliated organization, the NPO ASIAN COMMUNITY TAKASHIMADAIRA (Takashimadaira ACT), will be screening the film "Burmese People Living in a Foreign Land: In Japan." We hope to listen to the voices of Burmese refugees together with the local community, to learn about the struggles they faced to gain refugee status and the hopes they hold for living in Japan.

Starting in August, we will be holding a monthly workshop to consider a "tolerant society" in relation to undocumented immigrants. We hope that by directly interacting with undocumented immigrants, whose existence has been forgotten or is not even known, participants will be given an opportunity to reflect on various aspects of their lives. The first workshop is scheduled for Saturday, August 9th, at 6:30 PM.

In mid-August, we will conduct a coordinated petitioning campaign to municipal councils, requesting the adoption of a resolution calling for the legalization of long-term undocumented immigrants. We plan to submit petitions to 15 municipalities. We will raise awareness of the existence of undocumented immigrants in the communities where they live.

In mid-September, advisor Katsuo Yoshinari will travel to Bangladesh, a country with which APFS has had close ties since its founding, together with researchers from Rikkyo University. They will listen to the voices of returning migrants from Japan to Bangladesh to understand what kind of "hopes" they have.

In addition to the above, we will be developing various activities, such as forming a network of "support groups" that provide local assistance to undocumented immigrants, and having those affected visit facilities for the elderly and disabled. Through these activities, we hope to restore hope to those who have been on provisional release for a long time and are on the verge of losing hope.
We would appreciate your support and cooperation.