Negotiations with the Ministry of Justice were held to request special permission to stay for irregular residents on provisional release.

From August 2015 to January 2016, APFS worked on the "100 Days of Action to Nurture Children's Dreams" initiative, aiming to create a society in which the dreams of all children, including those with irregular status, can come true.
During the 100-day action, the issue was covered by many media outlets. A signature campaign also spread. As a result, we were able to inform society of the problems faced by undocumented children.
On Sunday, January 17, 2016, a general discussion meeting for the 100 Days Action was held. At the meeting, it was decided that negotiations would begin with the Ministry of Justice to request special permission to stay within this fiscal year.

It's not just children who are in an irregular status and cannot see a future, but adults too. We called on adults to participate in the request to the Ministry of Justice on Tuesday, March 1st. Adults also have their own reasons for needing to stay in Japan, such as being married to a Japanese person (permanent resident) or having spent more than half their lives in Japan.

APFS requested the following three points, stating that "special permission to stay should be granted as soon as possible to irregular residents on provisional release."
(1) Allow undocumented children to stay in Japan together with their parents
(2) Allow married couples to form families in Japan
(3) Special residence permission should be granted more flexibly to refugee applicants

Attending the negotiations with the Ministry of Justice were Toyotaka Kawabata, Narumi Yokokawa, assistant director of the Immigration Bureau's Adjudication Division, and Makoto Harada, section chief. APFS was represented by Representative Director Kato, Vice Representative Director Yoshida, and Director Yoshinari.
Many irregular residents on provisional release are petitioning for reconsideration (requesting a second review due to changes in circumstances after the issuance of a deportation order). Since 2011, it has become more difficult to obtain permission to stay in Japan due to petitions for reconsideration, but Yokokawa said that he "acknowledges the existence of petitions for reconsideration."
We were also able to confirm that the approximately 150 postcards supporting children that were sent as part of the 100-Day Action, and the "100-Day Action Resolution to Nurture Children's Dreams" signed by 22 researchers, have indeed been received by the Ministry of Justice and are being considered.

APFS pointed out that the Immigration Bureau may also be responsible for the fact that irregular residents have remained on provisional release for so many years.
He also said, "There are families who, under the Guidelines for Special Permission to Stay, appear to be no different from the cases where special permission to stay was obtained before 2010 by petitioning for reconsideration, and who are still waiting. Some children are attending vocational schools with the aim of becoming care workers, even though it is difficult to envision their future. Undocumented residents are people who can contribute to Japanese society. I would like to see tolerance in providing relief for them."

In addition, together with APFS, we submitted a list of 20 cases of 37 irregular residents seeking special permission to stay. Kawabata stated that "we will review the cases on the list once again." If we do not speak out, progress will be slow and we will not be able to move forward. In terms of re-acknowledging the existence of these cases, we can say that the negotiations with the Ministry of Justice have been successful.

I also asked about special residence permits for refugee applicants. I confirmed that special residence permits may be granted in cases where a person is not recognized as a refugee but has circumstances that require humanitarian consideration similar to those of a refugee, or where the applicant falls under the "positive elements" of the "Guidelines for Special Residence Permits." In addition, I received the following response: "At the time of appeal (secondary screening), the special residence permit is hardly reviewed. If there are any aspects that fall under the "Guidelines for Special Residence Permits" at the time of refugee application (first screening), please clearly mention them." I was able to get a guideline on how to appeal.

As negotiations with the Ministry of Justice were taking place, undocumented residents took to the microphone in front of the ministry, continuing to make their appeals despite the growing cold.
One child said, "Even a young child understands that family is important. I don't think it's right for only children or only parents to remain in Japan. Please listen to my wishes."
Adults also took to the microphone to speak out about their desire to raise their children in Japan and to continue living in Japan with their spouses.

APFS will continue to review the results and challenges of the series of actions since the 100-day action, and will continue its activities with the aim of obtaining special residence permission. We appreciate your continued support.