Japan Immigration News

Japan's new immigration law will put less of a burden on children of immigrants born in Japan - but will show others the exit door.

Release Date: 2024-03-20
Media: UNSEEN JAPAN
Summary: Japan's revised Immigration Control and Refugee Act, effective June 15, will provide residency to Japan-born schoolchildren under provisional release (karihoumen) and their families, while simultaneously tightening restrictions on repeat refugee applicants. The new law will allow children born and raised in Japan to gain residency if they are in grades 1–12 by June 2023, provided their families entered Japan legally. This has benefited some families, such as a Kurdish family granted residency in January, allowing them employment, health insurance access, and freedom to travel domestically.

However, children born outside Japan, like Silvan—a Kurdish child who arrived in Japan at age 3—are excluded, as are approximately 60 others whose parents entered Japan illegally. This has led to frustration among affected families, as deportation remains a severe threat for those on their third refugee application. After June 15, individuals with three or more refugee applications will be subject to mandatory deportation, ending Japan’s current policy of allowing them to stay while applications are pending.
Tags: Special Permission to Stay

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