"Panel discussion: What is the current situation of undocumented children like?" held

On Sunday, December 22nd, we held an APFS panel discussion: What is the current state of children with irregular residency like in Japan? at the Itabashi City Green Hall. About 50 people, both Japanese and foreign, participated in the discussion. Before the panel discussion, Yoshida from APFS spoke about two points: "Together with irregular residents," namely, "The change in the environment surrounding irregular residents in Japan" and "Actions by APFS and irregular residents seeking Zaitoku status." He explained the rapid increase in irregular residents since the late 1980s, how these people who were originally migrant workers formed families in Japan and settled there, and the strengthening of crackdowns to date. He also talked about the various actions that APFS and irregular residents have taken to obtain Zaitoku status, including mass appearances, the formation of family associations, retrial actions, and actions by children.

Professor Tetsuo Mizukami acted as the moderator for the panel discussion, and the panelists were a former irregular migrant, a current provisionally released migrant, Professor Natsuko Minamino, who specializes in child welfare, and Mayumi Yoshida of APFS. The two migrant workers shared their stories and inner conflicts. They also talked about how they had no health insurance because they did not have a resident status, and how they were always worried about getting sick or injured as a child, and how the most difficult thing for them was not being able to play to their heart's content in club activities. Professor Minamino explained the issues of irregular migrant children from the perspectives of education, welfare, and international human rights law. APFS's Yoshida spoke about the recent frequent occurrence of "family separations" in which immigration authorities issue special status to children and send their parents back to their home countries. Participants expressed surprise that they had no idea that there were children in Japan in such difficult situations. There were also foreign participants who encouraged the migrant workers.
At the end of the meeting, there was a social gathering for about an hour, during which participants, today's panelists, APFS staff, and volunteers had time to talk candidly about their thoughts and feelings. It was a very informative meeting.