Japan is young Kurd's only home, despite challenges of 'illegal resident' status
July 6, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
Ramazan, a 23-year-old Kurd who will have lived in Japan for 15 years this year, is seen in the city of Warabi, Saitama Prefecture, on April 20, 2021. He has been forced to lead a life under severe restrictions as he does not have legal residency status. (Mainichi/Yukinao Kin)
TOKYO -- Imagine you have lived in Japanese society since you were a child. The customs and the lifestyle come naturally to you, though you were born elsewhere. Japan is home. Now imagine that you cannot work or move around this home freely, because you are officially categorized as an "illegal resident." This is the plight of not a few people who live amongst us.