PRESS CONFERENCE
Jumpei Yamamura, Doctor, Minatomachi Clinic
Takeshi Ohashi, Lawyer, (Lawyers Group for Kurdish Refugees in Japan, Japan Lawyers Network for Refugees)
Mayumi Yoshida , Asian People’s Friendship Society
Hiroka Shoji, Amnesty International Japan

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

The life of an illegal immigrant is never an easy one, but in Japan it can be lethal. Since the beginning of the year, there has been two suicides at the East Japan immigration center in Ibaraki, while last month, Ghanaian national Abubakar Awudu Suraj died while being escorted by Japanese immigration officers onto a plane for deportation. Following a hunger strike in the West Japan immigration center a few months ago, another hunger strike is under way as this notice is being written.

The appalling way in which illegal immigrants are treated in Japan has always been subject to criticism. But these conditions have worsened considerably in recent months. The government shows no interest in tackling the issue and reports in the Japanese media are few and far between. This comes at a time when "fraternity" is a buzzword in Prime Minister Hatoyama's government and after the Justice Minister promised better conditions for immigrants.

To understand what is wrong with Japan's immigration policy, we have invited the people at the forefront of the fight for illegal immigrants to be treated like human beings. The speakers are: Takeshi Ohashi, JD., who has for many years defended people applying for the refugee status, many of whom remain in detention(Lawyers Group for Kurdish Refugees in Japan, Japan Lawyers Network for Refugees); Mayumi Yoshida, of the Asian People's Friendship Society, which is following the case of the Ghanaian man's death; Dr. Jumpei Yamamura, who provides regular consultations at the East Japan Detention Center; and Hiroka Shoji, of Amnesty International.

Jumpei Yamamura, Doctor, Minatomachi Clinic

Takeshi Ohashi, Lawyer

Hiroka Shoji, Amnesty International Japan and Mayumi Yoshida , Asian People’s Friendship Society