APFS General Meeting Held

The regular general meeting was held at the APFS office on June 11, 2023.

The business report for the previous fiscal year was presented, beginning with an overview of the consultation services. It was explained that among the new consultations last year, there were several from pregnant women and single-parent families, an increase in consultations not only from people of Asian origin but also from Central and South America and Africa, and an increase in consultations regarding "bringing in wives and children" from their home countries as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. It was also reported that eight individuals who had been receiving ongoing support received special status as residents during the previous fiscal year. However, it was reported that all of these cases occurred before deportation orders were issued, and there were no cases last year where special status was granted after a deportation order had been issued and an appeal for retrial was filed. Other activities discussed included the continuation of direct support such as food supplies and the operation of an online donation site. In this year's business plan, it was reported that a training course ("Training Course for Foreign Resident Counselors") will be held for the first time in a while, starting in June, over a period of six sessions. The general meeting reaffirmed that APFS will continue to be operated with the help of volunteers, board members, and regular members, even with a limited staff.