Press Conference,
Makoto Teranaka, Amnesty International Japan,
Ippei Torii,Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan

The speech and Q & A will be in English and Japanese with English Interpretation

"Revising the Immigration Control Act"

In the next couple of weeks, some of the biggest changes to Japanese immigration law for years could pass through parliament. Some of the changes, such as an end to the "gaijin card" and re-entry permits are welcomed, but others are attracting criticism.

The government says it's trying to make life simpler for foreigners but critics claim the Juki-net cards that would be issued to resident foreigners carry more personal information than those held by Japanese nationals and could enable the government to snoop on private lives. There is also concern that nullification of a visa is too strong a punishment should foreigners fail to notify changes of address within 3 months.

On May 29, Makoto Teranaka and Ippei Torii will be at the club to talk through the changes and why they think some may run counter to protecting human rights and democracy.

Ippei Torii & Makoto Teranaka