Escorted Deportations Hit Record as Immigration Enforcement Tightens

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In 2025, Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) launched its Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan to accelerate the deportation of undocumented residents.

A record 318 individuals were returned to their home countries under escort that year, according to an agency summary, marking a 1.3-fold increase from the previous year.

Of these, 52 had applied for refugee status three or more times. Under the initiative, those seeking refugee status are given priority.

The latest figures suggest the plan is gaining momentum.

Targeting High-Risk Cases

The Zero Plan was announced in May last year amid concerns that the safety and security of the public are being threatened by foreigners who do not follow the rules.

The plan aims to halve — over five and a half years — the roughly 3,000 undocumented residents who had been issued final deportation orders, out of an estimated 68,000 as of January 2026.

In particular, the government will proceed with forced deportations accompanied by immigration officers and other escorts, focusing primarily on individuals who have filed for refugee status three or more times or serious offenders sentenced to three years or more in prison or to life imprisonment.

Their deportation became possible following a June 2024 amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.

Deportation by the Numbers

The government has set a goal of doubling escorted deportations by 2027, from 249 deportees in 2024.

According to data released by the ISA on March 27, a total of 7,563 people were deported in 2025 pursuant to deportation orders, down 135 from the previous year.

Of them, 6,677 departed at their own expense, 505 were repatriated at government expense without an escort, and 318 were repatriated at government expense with an escort.

*Refugee application center located on the third floor of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Minato Ward, Tokyo. (© Kyodo)*

In addition, 9,789 people departed under departure orders, bringing the total number of departures and deportations to 17,352.

Among the 318 people deported under escort, 52 had applied for refugee status three or more times, while seven were classified as serious criminals.

By nationality, Turkey accounted for the largest share with 71 people, followed by the Philippines with 46 and Sri Lanka with 44.

Of the 71 Turkish nationals, 30 had applied for refugee status three or more times. All of those applications were filed after June 2025, following the announcement of the Zero Plan. Most are believed to be Kurds.

Resistance to Removal

Among those who refused to return despite having received final deportation orders, often referred to as "deportation resisters," some shouted threats such as "I'll go berserk!" and acted violently up to the moment they were placed on a flight.

In one case last July, a Kurdish man reportedly resisted during the deportation process. According to data released by the ISA in October 2025, the same individual continued to file repeated asylum claims even after a deportation order had been issued.

Given that he had overstayed for about 18 years and showed little prospect of returning home voluntarily, authorities decided to proceed with a forced deportation under escort.

Even in his fifth application for refugee status, he submitted no new evidence that would constitute substantial grounds for recognition as a refugee.

The man shouted and resisted as he was escorted into the aircraft, but neither he nor the officers was injured.

Caseload on the Rise

Meanwhile, deportations continue to rise. As of the end of 2025, 3,369 foreign nationals were subject to confirmed deportation orders, an increase of 246 from 2024.

An ISA official said the Zero Plan had sped up the processing of refugee status applications, increasing the number of cases handled. As a result, more deportation orders were issued toward the end of the year, contributing to the trend.

By nationality, Turkish nationals accounted for the largest number at 765, an increase of 155 from the previous year. Iran followed with 295 (down 12), and Sri Lanka with 250 (down 35).

Of the 765 Turkish nationals, 504 were granted provisional release from immigration detention, down 76 from the previous year.

At the same time, the number placed under supervised release rose sharply to 205 from 47. The system, introduced under a legal amendment that took effect in June 2024, allows individuals to be supervised by designated supporters instead of being held in immigration detention.

In total, 709 individuals were under either of these two arrangements.

Author: The Sankei Shimbun

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