August 2, 2023

The Japanese Communist Party Commission on the Protection of Human Rights and Employment of Foreigners in Japan on August 1 held its first meeting in the Diet building, confirming that the JCP will work to reform Japan's immigration administration step by step, and as a first step will work on the government to grant special residency permits to children and families without residency status.

Based on the findings from the hearing, which the commission conducted on July 26 with overstaying Kurdish families and children in Saitama Prefecture, commission members discussed future efforts needed to protect the basic rights of foreigners living in Japan.

JCP member of the House of Councilors Nihi Sohei, who is responsible for the commission, said that children and family members without residency status fear that they may be forcibly deported soon and are despairing for their future.

Other JCP lawmakers attending the commission meeting pointed out that many overstayers on provisional release from detention cannot afford to pay medical expenses at hospitals because they do not have health insurance cards, and stressed the need for the government to give financial aid to them. The lawmakers added that a change in the situation where these children cannot be covered by tuition-waiving measures is also necessary.

The commission secretary, JCP member of the House of Representatives Motomura Nobuko, said, "We should share and gather the wisdom in reforming Japan's immigration policies so that the basic human rights of foreigners who have multi-layered issues pertaining to healthcare and education can be defended."

Past related article:
> JCP Nihi talks with Kurdish children without residency status [July 28, 2023]