A Volunteer’s Opinion

 Hi, I am Jisoo, a volunteer of APFS. I have started to participate in activities in APFS since end of April. Today was the second time I participated.

 I came to Japan last March to attend a university in Japan. I was studying Japanese for quite a while in Korea before I came so I did not think I would struggle much in Japan. But in contrary to my expectations, there were some unexpected problems I had to deal with once I arrived here. For example, I could not rent a room that I liked because I was not Japanese and I was not yet 20 years old. When I was looking for a job, I was not given the opportunity for an interview because I was not Japanese. Also, there were many expressions used among Japanese people that I have never studied in Korea, and I struggled and agonized over the language barrier in Japan. Some of my friends could not cope with the difficult situation in Japan and decided to return to their mother countries.

 From my experiences mentioned above, I became interested in helping people from foreign origins, like myself, live comfortably in Japan. I want to help people from foreign origins who work in Japan fit well in a new environment called “foreign country,” and bring their abilities into full play. From a vision of a good relationship not only between an employer and an employee, but also between Japan and the employee’s mother country, I wish to study policies that would build these relationships.

 Fortunately, with help from generous friends and people around me, I was able to adapt well to a life in Japan, and now, I greatly enjoy my stay in Japan. But there must be many people of foreign origins in Japan who need a hand to fit in a new environment called “Japan.”

 Before I start my studies in policies to help them, I came to believe that I should do what I can do right now. I want to learn from nearby incidents how policies actually affect those working in Japan and what kinds of problems might arise from them. I began to participate in activities in APFS as a volunteer, and last Monday, I went to the 9^th trial of Mr. Suraj’s case for state compensation. Before the court hearing, I did a research beforehand on my own and I was able to understand the system of Special Permission to Stay in Japan.

 What I am doing right now does not directly help people of foreign origins in the state’s level, neither does it help them in a legal level as what lawyers do but I am doing as much as I can do right now from my wish from the bottom of my heart to help them. There are many things I do not know, and the path to my dream is long and not yet concrete. Still, I want to accumulate experiences little by little, and in the future, I hope those experiences will be the backbone of my studies in policies that will actually help people of foreign origins working in Japan.

The 9th court hearing was held in Mr. Suraj’s trial for state compensation.

The 9^th court hearing in Mr. Suraj’s trial for state compensation was held on May 13^th (Mon) from 3:30 pm at the Court Room No. 706 of the Tokyo Regional Court. Observer seats were full, with people not being able to sit down waiting outside.

On this date, the plaintiff side (the Mr. Suraj Attorney Team) made their claims. This time, it was a court room where we could watch and listen to video, so the attorney team used Power Point to expand their claims with regard to the circumstances of Mr. Suraj’s deportation and the illegality of the immigration officers’ actions, and to explain about in a simple manner about the cause of Mr. Surja’s death. Later, a video recording of Mr. Suraj’s deportation was played as a basis for evidence behind these claims.

The content of the video recording was just 5 minutes showing how the immigration officers took Mr. Suraj from the wagon parking near the plane to inside. However, even though Mr. Suraj was not agitated and speaking calmly in Japanese, the immigration officers swiftly cuffed his feet as if they were planning for it and carried him on board by several of them holding him. It was quite different from the claims of the immigration officers that they took these actions because he went berserk.

It was only few minutes of video recording, but the observers were watching how Mr. Suraj was deported withholding their breaths. To see the real circumstances of Mr. Suraj’s deportation on video must have come as a shock to observers, even if they have heard about it. For instance, Mr. Suraj’s cousin was also among the observers, but he had to leave because he could not stand seeing the last minutes of Mr. Suraj.

After showing the video, the presiding judge said that if we would like to have judgment this fiscal year, plans for immediate questioning and confirmation of facts should be made quickly. The defendant side, that is the state, mentioned that they would like to have 3 months for gathering medical opinions, but the chief judge made it clear that ‘we cannot wait’.

After the hearing, we took time in a separate room for Q&A concerning the content of the present claims. Many observers stayed and presented questions. There were some instances which provided opinions that may prove useful for future proceedings (the photograph shows the Q&A meeting).

The next court date is still pending, but as soon as it is set, we will upload it to this blog or the APFS website. The attendance of observers provides great power. Please come to court as an observer!

Participated in Earth Festa Kanagawa 2013

May 11-12,2013, A group of event was held in Hongodai it’s called Earth Festa Kanagawa 2013 and its one of the exciting and especial day ever held in this year APFS group is one of the team who participated.   It was organized by well known groups from all over Kanagawa Prefecture and other neighboring Prefectures and from all different countries who lives and enjoy the life here in another world where it’s known by its name “The Land of the Rising Sun”, New hope, new promises and a new life is at hand.  The participation from each and everyone was so great and resulted outmost appreciation from all corners of the visitors and participants of the event, by introducing the ethnics, multi cultural, foods, music, artifacts and cultural dance shows and to establish its common goal for a common good and one interest combining Japanese and all type of migrants who lived here in Japan. In my point of view the outcome of the event was overwhelming to all the volunteers and all participants and the customers who came and enjoy the multi colorful event was most welcome with everyone and heartwarming event indeed it is another milestone to remember and embark a new program to a wider scope welcoming foreigners and good ideas.  The sceneric view from the top to bottom of the event, it was well organized and resulted harmonious relationship and I am thankful for the success of the most prestigious program.  Perhaps in the future to come we would like to invite and encourage every individual foreign nationals to join and represent more good ideas and establish solemn good relationship both sides and parties, working as one good family.