Filipino girl asks gov't to let her continue studying in Japan

Friday 21st November, 05:07 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 44 Total Comments Show All

seesaw at 03:43 PM JST - 21st November

Rodney King: Everyone on this forum know that she & her parents broke the law, but you don't have to be so mean with your statement....
Molenir at 06:01 PM JST - 21st November

Yeah, too many people living here already right. I mean, its not like they're begging Filipino nurses to come and work in Japan or anything right! No, definitely can't allow someone who was born, raised, and only speaks Japanese to stay. Hell, send her to the US, lots of illegal immigrants there. She'll fit right in.
sensei258 at 06:53 PM JST - 21st November

Don't blame the government, blame her parents. They stayed illegally, and now they want the Japanese government to make up for their poor parenting? The girl's grief was caused by the parents, let them handle it.
sensei258 at 07:18 PM JST - 21st November

The problem with letting her stay is everyone will use the "well I've been here illegally so long you should let me stay" excuse. But I do feel bad for her, because of her parents poor choices.
BurakuminDes at 11:12 PM JST - 21st November

Cases like this are quite rare; certainly this girl should be shown special consideration from the ministry. It WILL NOT set a precedent, as the law is not being changed for her. However, the ministry of justice has the authority to show dispensation, and should. She should be encouraged in her studies, and can contribute to Japan if she stays. Lets face it, without skilled, Japanese-fluent residents like her, Japan is doomed to never escape the slump it has been in for a decade or two. Sadly, Japanese "rules" will most likely be enforced here and she will be sent to a foreign country where she cannot understand the language, as "rules" always are enforced when it comes to gaijin.
bdiego at 05:14 AM JST - 22nd November

Such hypocrisy abound considering most posters here come from countries kicking out foreigners, in some cases violently. In Australia, they will turn away boat immigrants even if it means their death. And that's their right, because the alternative is outright invasion by the millions from a dozen neighbors in crisis. I don't blame anyone for trying to make a better life by illegally immigrating, but the fact is most countries are going to try and stop you.

Japan is one of many countries that require your parents to be citizens to become automatically born citizens. The USA actually tried to enforce the very same rule long ago, until an early Supreme Court ruling to the contrary. Some countries go further than both Japan and the USA. In any case, almost all industrialized nations kick illegal immigrants and their children out. It's sad, but they don't like the alternatives.
bdiego at 05:17 AM JST - 22nd November

Under American, European, and Australian "rules", if you and your gaijin children are not legal residents you'll be deported. These "rules" also make you pay taxes and obey the law. Which these people broke. If this were Mexico, they'd be interrogated and threatened to never come back. Ironic from a country that emigrates so many illegal immigrants (and also receives a ton from central America).
mcheeky at 04:27 PM JST - 22nd November

Anyone who really cares can offer to adopt the girl.

There are only two cases where I would give the parents any right to remain. Either they will surely be killed if they return home, or they are valued employees somewhere and their employer says as much.

If not, its back to he Philippines for them. They totally broke the rules. Using the passport of another is even worse than overstaying your visa!

The girl I would allow to stay so long as its not the government supporting her. Like I say, adoption is an option. But I would not allow her parents to come back unless the girl eventually gets citizenship or marries a Japanese. Obviously, they intended no harm, but still, they really broke the rules. The girl should not be made to suffer for that, so if support can be arranged she should be allowed to stay. If not, sorry. It all boils down to the parents' fault. The government is being darned nice even taking the time to think of other solutions!
rurika at 10:37 PM JST - 22nd November

I feel sorry for this girl, she will be deported to a country that is foreign to her at a difficult age. Anger should be directed at her mother who clearly lied about her status and didn't even teach her child to speak her mother tongue Tagalog.
nikoniko at 11:32 PM JST - 22nd November

Hope someone has the ability, decency, and compassion to help this child out. Hope there is more follow up on this in the future. If she is a good student, I would think there is a way for her to obtain a stay?
PepinGalarga at 09:25 PM JST - 24th November

i agree with a couple others here. Its impossible to believe the girl can't speak Tagalog.

anyway, i think all people born in foreign country should have dual passports. If their parents are nationals of a third country, then they should also be allowed to decide which of the three countries by the age of 18.

this doesnt excuse them from paying taxes in either country, something that Japan needs badly. the labor markets in Japan are going down the crapper pretty bad. Educational system is falling in on itself as the few kids who are in school are put under enormous pressure.

Japan will be an old nation of pensioners sucking away money, with few young taxpayers to foot the bill.
Ah_so at 07:35 AM JST - 26th November

Sorry little girl time to go home e.g. the phillipines because your parents broke Japanese law .

I tend to agree - why should birth give citizenship or right of abode to a country and by extension, the same to her parents? Just because other countries do, does not mean others should.

On the other hand, the "crime" of over-staying the visa was a long time ago and it could be argued that the welfare of the child would be harmed by moving to the Philippines. If the parents have lived otherwise crime-free and self-sufficient lives, why not let them remain?

I know Japan does not have a flexible legal system, but the Child Welfare Act states, "all people shall strive to ensure the sound birth and growth of children, both in mind and body. The livelihood of each and every child shall equally be guaranteed and protected".

It could reasonably be argued that deportation of a girl to a poor country where she does not speak the language in the middle of her education would contravene this.

Oh, and Vajra, your comment above was mean-spirited and its tone ugly.
pointofview at 09:29 AM JST - 26th November

If there was an ounce of logic directed toward this situation then the girl should stay. What stupid government nonsense...A very cold society. Why arent there any people out protesting for this girl so she can stay? Ah...I know why... Im sure she`ll do more good than bad for Japan if given the opportunity.
yumi18 at 08:25 AM JST - 27th November

I agree with you pointoview, the family should stay in japan. I believe for some reason they deserve to live their and have a good future for noriko than to go back to the philippines where there is nothing left for them.The issue here is the child.We cant blame their parents, let's look at the other side maybe they have to do it the wrong way because they want to give their family a better life, and if it is they think the right to do them be it. lrts just pray that they hae what their fighting for.
bdiego at 11:11 AM JST - 27th November

pointofview: USA, Australia, England, and dozens of industrialized nations are doing the exact same thing in these cases. It's not society, it's the law.