Negotiated with the Ministry of Justice to request special permission to stay

On Thursday, December 15, 2011, APFS negotiated with the Ministry of Justice to request special permission to stay for 35 irregular foreign residents (15 families and 2 individuals). This negotiation was made possible by the accompaniment of House of Representatives member Ryoichi Hattori.

The 35 people, 15 families and 2 individuals, are characterized by their diverse attributes. The 35 people, 15 families and 2 individuals, are classified into 1) cases where the family is seeking residence, 2) cases where a parent is seeking residence status, 3) cases where a spouse is seeking residence, 4) cases where a child is seeking residence status, and 5) cases where the person is living alone. In light of these characteristics, we made the following four requests to the Ministry of Justice.
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1. Please allow irregular families with children in the fourth grade or above to stay in Japan.
2. Do not separate parents and children/husbands and wives
3. Please allow the residence of undocumented residents who have children in Japan.
4. Special residence permission should be granted to the families of those who entered the country illegally
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So far this year, APFS has granted special residence permission to two families, eight people. The oldest children of the families granted special residence permission are in the second and first years of junior high school, respectively. On the other hand, 35 children from two individuals in 15 families include many children in the upper grades of elementary school, but their families have not yet been granted special residence permission. We explained that even if they are in the upper grades of elementary school, if they are deported to their home country, it will have a significant impact on their development, citing cases where they were actually deported to their home country in the upper grades of elementary school. We also emphasized that special residence permission should be granted to undocumented families with children in the fourth grade or above of elementary school. We also stated that we would like the system to be implemented more flexibly based on the "positive factors to be particularly considered" in cases where the spouse is seeking special residence permission.

Kuniaki Ishioka, Chief of the Adjudication Division of the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice, used words such as "warmth," "consideration of humanitarian aspects," and "fair and impartial review" when examining applications for special permission to stay. These words were not clearly mentioned during previous negotiations. APFS strongly urges that the special permission to stay be implemented in accordance with these words.

In addition, 35 people from 15 families and 2 individuals, including supporters, gathered in front of the Ministry of Justice to explain why they are seeking residence. From people in the early grades of elementary school to people living alone, each person appealed to the Ministry of Justice in their own words. Starting with this negotiation with the Ministry of Justice, APFS will accelerate its movement by seeking special residence permission for 35 people from 15 families and 2 individuals. We appreciate your cooperation and support.

■□Request for donations□■
We need funds to continue supporting the movement to obtain special residence permits for irregular foreign residents. APFS activities are supported by donations from everyone. After obtaining a payment slip at your post office, please make a donation to the account below.

Financial institution name: Japan Post Bank
Subscriber name APFS
Account number 00130-6-485104

Your support will pave the way for undocumented foreigners to stay in Japan. We ask for your continued support.