APFS launches 100-day initiative to nurture children's dreams.

Children, everywhere in the world and in every era, are beings that should be protected. Furthermore, it is crucial to build a society where children can nurture their dreams, and no one would disagree with this.

However, globally, 400 million children live in so-called "extreme poverty," surviving on just $1.25 a day. Furthermore, poverty is steadily increasing even in Japan, a country once considered developed. The OECD's "relative child poverty rate" in Japan reached 16.3% in 2013, the fourth highest among the 20 developed countries. In this context, one in six children lives in poverty. This creates a situation where children are forced to abandon their dreams, such as pursuing higher education. Some try to dismiss poverty as a matter of "personal responsibility," but is that truly appropriate? Wouldn't it be more important to create a "safety net" to protect children?

APFS has witnessed firsthand the difficulties faced by children of undocumented immigrants in Japanese society in nurturing their dreams. Children born to undocumented immigrants become undocumented immigrants from the day they are born. Children cannot choose the family they are born into. Is it truly appropriate to hold children accountable for the crime of being undocumented immigrants? Children of undocumented immigrants have received their education consistently in Japan. If they are deported to their parents' home country, they will not understand the language and will have no foundation for life, making it impossible for them to realize their dreams. Japan is the place where children of undocumented immigrants can realize their dreams. For children of undocumented immigrants, the problem is not just that they are in a state of economic "poverty." The real problem is that they must constantly battle the anxiety that they may be "sent back" to their parents' "home country" tomorrow, a country they have never known. In such circumstances, it is impossible for them to nurture their dreams.

Children who are undocumented immigrants cannot enroll in health insurance. Some children endure illness without going to the hospital. Others are afraid to participate in sports because they worry about getting injured. Some children have been told that they may not be able to take the entrance exam for public high school, and they spend every day worrying about whether they will be able to take the exam at all.
However, these children who are undocumented immigrants have not given up on their dreams despite their precarious circumstances. They continue to hold onto their dreams, such as "I want to show filial piety to my parents in Japan," "I want to work in elderly care and take care of the elderly," or "I want to work at the airport and make a name for myself internationally."

APFS will conduct a "100-Day Action" to realize a society where all children, including children in undocumented immigration, can nurture their dreams. To kick off the 100-Day Action, a "Children's Conference" was held on August 29th, where children themselves considered what they needed to do to fulfill their dreams. In addition, lobbying will be conducted with members of parliament to convey to them the reality of the current situation where it is difficult for children to nurture their dreams.
In addition, we will be conducting street activities and holding reporting sessions. Towards the end, we will submit a request to the Ministry of Justice. Through this "100-Day Action," we aim to create a society where all children can nurture their dreams.

We would appreciate your support.