Kawaguchi Immigrants: Get the Facts and Deal With Them Squarely

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The question is whether or not immigrants are complying with Japanese law. In 2004, the Ministry of Justice compiled a report concerning the Kurdish ethnic minority group from Turkey living in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. Many had claimed they were entitled to stay as "refugees." However, the report concluded that the immigrants had come to Japan for dekasagi ("working away from home.") 

These conclusions were not made public, however, because the Japan Federation of Bar Associations raised concerns, alleging the report caused "human rights violations." The results of the investigation finally came to light in November 2024, when The Sankei Shimbun reported on them.

There is a problem if sealing official findings from the public leads visitors to stay in Japan without proper legal status. Hiding the facts to allow immigrants without lawful status to work should not be permitted to become the norm.

Meanwhile, as immigration officials fail to address this problem, friction is growing between local residents and Kurdish immigrants living in Kawaguchi. We urge the government to investigate and clarify the truth of the matter. It must then take clear, firm measures to deal with the problems.

A Suppressed Investigation

An investigation was conducted in response to various lawsuits filed by Kurds who the immigration bureau said did not qualify as refugees. During June and July 2004, the Ministry of Justice dispatched officials to several villages in southern Turkey where many refugee applicants originally came from. It then prepared a report on its findings. It found: "All [individuals who had applied for refugee status] were from migrant worker villages." The report was then duly submitted to the court.

In the report was a statement by a villager who had previously worked in Japan. "I claimed I was a 'refugee' because I wanted to earn more money," he said. 

This admission highlighted the abuse of the system for recognizing applicants for refugee status. However, the contents of the investigation were not made public. Therefore, the results could not be used to resolve issues such as the legality of Japanese residency of these immigrants. 

A Growing Concern

In the 21 years since 2004, the number of Kurds in Kawaguchi has increased dramatically. This ethnic population from Turkey is now thought to number around 2,500, including those staying illegally.

Meanwhile, Kawaguchi City has received a series of complaints about littering, late-night noise, and nuisance parking. All of these violate Japanese laws and customs. There have also been serious incidents, including sexual assaults and hit-and-run accidents involving unlicensed drivers.

These issues were even brought up in the Lower House Budget Committee in December 2024. At the time, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki responded to a question about the situation. "Foreigners whose deportations have been confirmed will be ordered to leave the country as soon as possible," he explained.

However, what is to be done until their deportations are confirmed?

Refugee Status is Not Economic Immigration

In an interview with The Sankei Shimbun, then-Turkish Ambassador to Japan Korkut Güngen said, "It is common for Kurds to come to Japan for economic or social reasons." He also expressed the view that some came with the "intent to work."

The revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act came into full force in June 2024. It stipulates that foreign nationals who apply for asylum status three or more times will now be subject to deportation unless they can provide reasonable grounds to be recognized as refugees. 

While assessing the effectiveness of this change, the government should strengthen measures to end illegal stays for working purposes.

RELATED:

• Sealed Report on Refugee Claims of Some Kurds Raises Questions
• Why is Kurdish Immigration to Japan on the Rise?
• Debate on Immigrants: Balancing Public Sentiment and Practical Policy 
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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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