November 24, 2025
Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Nihi Sohei, at a meeting of the House of Councillors Judicial Affairs Committee on November 20, criticized Japan’s immigration authorities for denying asylum seekers the opportunity to make oral statements in appeals against the rejection of their refugee status applications.
Refugee examiners, when adjudicating refugee claims, are supposed to listen deeply to applicants about their circumstances and carefully examine “fear of persecution” in their home countries in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention.
Nihi revealed that since 2020, fewer than 30% of applicants requesting oral statements in appeal proceedings have had their requests granted.
In May of this year, the Immigration Services Agency announced the “Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan for the Safety and Security of People in Japan” with the aim of accelerating the deportation of foreigners without residency status.
The JCP lawmaker highlighted the existence of children who have become overstayers unjustly because their parents’ refugee applications or requests for special residence permission were rejected.
Questioning whether these children pose a threat to Japan’s safety and security, Nihi demanded that the “Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan” be withdrawn immediately. He criticized the “zero plan” for focusing on forced repatriation in violation of international humanitarian law and for promoting “racism and xenophobia” in Japan.
Justice Minister Hiraguchi Hiroshi in response said, “Our country appropriately conducts refugee screening procedures on a case-by-case basis, comprehensively considering all relevant information. Japan actively considers various factors, including the necessity to protect the child’s interest in living with their family members in Japan and the fact that the child has received education for a substantial period at Japanese elementary or secondary schools.”
Past related article:
> JCP in Kawaguchi City opposes assembly’s resolution hostile to ethnic minorities [October 1, 2025]
Refugee examiners, when adjudicating refugee claims, are supposed to listen deeply to applicants about their circumstances and carefully examine “fear of persecution” in their home countries in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention.
Nihi revealed that since 2020, fewer than 30% of applicants requesting oral statements in appeal proceedings have had their requests granted.
In May of this year, the Immigration Services Agency announced the “Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan for the Safety and Security of People in Japan” with the aim of accelerating the deportation of foreigners without residency status.
The JCP lawmaker highlighted the existence of children who have become overstayers unjustly because their parents’ refugee applications or requests for special residence permission were rejected.
Questioning whether these children pose a threat to Japan’s safety and security, Nihi demanded that the “Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan” be withdrawn immediately. He criticized the “zero plan” for focusing on forced repatriation in violation of international humanitarian law and for promoting “racism and xenophobia” in Japan.
Justice Minister Hiraguchi Hiroshi in response said, “Our country appropriately conducts refugee screening procedures on a case-by-case basis, comprehensively considering all relevant information. Japan actively considers various factors, including the necessity to protect the child’s interest in living with their family members in Japan and the fact that the child has received education for a substantial period at Japanese elementary or secondary schools.”
Past related article:
> JCP in Kawaguchi City opposes assembly’s resolution hostile to ethnic minorities [October 1, 2025]
