Calls to Reform Japan's Immigration System This article has information on conditions in detention as well as about provisional release (which is a kind of alternative to detention) and an organisation calling for more provisional release and better conditions for it. NHK News, 30 Aug 2016.
Japan’s masochistic approach to immigration More than half the women in the Tokyo Detention center are non-Japanese being held for overstaying their visas. This article looks at the situation of undocumented workers (workers without visas in Japan) and their treatment in detention centres. Japan Times, 13 Jun 2015.
Illegal immigrants could lose basic social services under new resident system The 60-year-old alien registration system became obsolete on July 9, replaced by new rules and regulations under a revised law intended to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in Japan. Asahi Shimbun, 9 Jul 2012.
Officials faulted in death of Ghanaian: Court rules immigration used 'Illegal' force on deportee In a landmark verdict, the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday ruled that immigration officials were responsible for the death of Abubakar Awudu Suraj, a Ghanaian man who had overstayed his via they were forcibly deporting in 2010. Japan Times, March 19, 2014.
Justice stalled in brutal death of deportee: Autopsy suggests immigration officers used excessive force in restraining Ghanaian Abubakar Awudu Suraj had been in Japan for over two decades when immigration authorities detained him in May 2009. The Ghanaian was told in Yokohama of his deportation to Ghana at 9:15 a.m. on March 22 last year. Six hours later he was dead, allegedly after being excessively restrained by guards. The Japan Times.
Asian People's Friendship Society An organisation providing support and counselling for foreigners, especially undocumented migrants, in Japan. They are campaigning on the case of Abubaker Awudu Suraj. Includes a discussion of the situation of undocumented foreigners and the Special Permission for Residence Visa that can be given to undocumented foreigners to give them the legal right to stay in Japan
Foreign overstayers protest for special residency permits in Tokyo This short article reports on "a campaign to inform the Japanese of the 67,000 visa overstayers in the country and how much they have already been integrated into society." 34 foreigners, many who have lived in Japan for decades and have families here, are asking the government not to deport them." Japan Daily Press, 20 Nov, 2012.
Visa overstayers rally to maintain privileges after immigration revision Another report on calls by undocumented workers some of whom have lived longer in Japan than in the countries they came from, to be given visas. Japan Times, 27 May 2012.
An excerpt from the 1998 documentary movie "Overstay" by Ann Kaneko. "Overstay" (ôbâsutei – オーバーステイ) shows the life and work place of undocumented foreign workers and so called "illegal immigrants" in Japan.
Born in Japan, but ordered out Fida Khan, a gangly 14-year-old, told the court that immigration authorities should not deport him and his family merely because his foreign-born parents lacked proper visas when they came to Japan more than 20 years ago.During the past two decades, his Pakistani father and Filipino mother have held steady jobs, raised children, paid taxes and have never been in trouble with the law. Washington Post, 17 Jan, 2010.
Visa overstayers rally in Tokyo for residency permits "A group of foreign residents who have overstayed their visas rallied in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district Sunday to call on the government to grant them special residency permits to remain in Japan and avoid disrupting the lives of their long-settled family members." Japan Times, Nov 19, 2012.
Visa overstayers rally to maintain privileges after immigration revision "Foreigners overstaying their visas took to the streets of Tokyo on Monday, calling for the Justice Ministry to grant them special residency permits before the new immigration law takes effect July 9." Japan Times, MAR 27, 2012.
Provisional Release Association in Japan See also this website. A group of former detainees, supporting both both asylum seekers and migrant worker visa over-stayers who are detained: "We are campaigning for a proper resident status in order to live a secure life in Japan. Also, what we fear the most now is re-detention. We strongly demand the Immigration Control not to violate our human rights by re-detaining us."
Asian People's Friendship Society An organisation providing support and counselling for foreigners, especially undocumented migrants, in Japan.