‘One-sided’ NHK report on Japan immigration authorities slammed by nonprofit group – The

TOKYO — A nonprofit organization supporting immigrants in Japan has issued a statement of protest over a program aired by public broadcaster NHK on the illegal stay of foreigners in the country, slamming it as one-sided and untrue.

The Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan said the international news program “Kokusai Hodo 2022,” aired on Aug. 31, unilaterally conveyed the claims of the immigration authorities.

The program covered the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and how it persuades foreigners who do not have a status of residence to return home. It said in the program, “For humanitarian reasons, immigration officials in principle do not forcibly deport foreign nationals by physically restraining them or by other means.”

The nonprofit group, however, pointed out, “There have been cases in which foreigners who were issued deportation orders have died after immigration officials attempted to force them onto airplanes or rolled them up in a mat. It (the program content) is not true.”

The Sept. 6 statement, which said that the program “reported the claims of the Immigration Services Agency one-sidedly and without criticism,” was sent to NHK President Terunobu Maeda and others.

The broadcaster issued a comment, saying, “We are aware that a statement of protest has been released. We are in the process of confirming the matters mentioned and will take appropriate action if necessary.”

(Japanese original by Yuka Matsubara, Cultural News Department)