Horrible hospitality : Detainees talk about reality of Japan immigration facility in film
July 2, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
Foreigners on temporary release hold a press conference with Ian Thomas Ash (far right), director of the film Ushiku, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 20, 2021. The two have experienced long-term detention at an immigration facility. (Mainichi/Yukinao Kin) TOKYO It is still fresh in our minds that in March this year, a Sri Lankan woman who was in detention at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau died without being able to receive the medical treatment she sought. What is going on in the closed rooms of Japan s immigration facilities? Ian Thomas Ash, a filmmaker from the United States, brought a small camera into a visiting room to make the documentary film Ushiku. What are the realities inside the immigration facility as told by the detainees?
Ex-Japan immigration officer queries black box hiding policy on foreigners rights (Pt 1)
May 10, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
Former immigration officer Yoichi Kinoshita is seen in Tokyo s Chiyoda Ward on April 12, 2021. (Mainichi/Yukinao Kin) TOKYO Debate over a proposed revision of Japan s immigration control law has reached a peak in Diet proceedings. The country s immigration policy has been the target of criticism from both in and outside Japan over issues such as the extremely low refugee status recognition rate of less than 1%, infinite detention periods of foreign nationals served with deportation orders, and inhumane treatment of such individuals. The Mainichi Shimbun sat down with a former immigration officer who revealed the inner workings of Japan s immigration agency to examine whether revisions to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act would actually help solve the country s immigration administration issues.