of deportation procedures have taken appropriate measures giving consideration to human rights and the wishes of these illegal residents. In cases where illegal foreign residents as victims of trafficking in persons sought to continue residing in Japan, whether or not to issue special permission to stay has been decided after comprehensive consideration of the developments leading to illegal residence, the reasons to stay in Japan and residence conditions. In order to further expand and secure protection of such victims in the future, the reasons for denial of landing and deportation of foreign nationals who have been forced to engage in prostitution or the like as a result of being a victim of trafficking in persons will be reviewed. A considerable number of foreign nationals with the “Entertainer” status of residence have illegally worked as hostesses or the like at entertainment establishments without engaging in the originally planned entertainment activities. Among them, some have been forced to accompany customers or engage in prostitution and have been victims of the international problem of human trafficking. Improvements in such situations and review of the present system to prevent the “Entertainer” status of residence from being utilized for immoral purposes will be carried out. Further, more enhanced measures at the border to find such victims will be taken. Cooperation with relevant agencies at home and abroad in tackling the issue of trafficking in persons will also be reinforced.

Domestic violence also constitutes a serious abuse of human rights. In cases where foreign nationals who have a “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” status of residence and have been separated or divorced due to domestic violence by a Japanese national and who wish to stay in Japan, decisions on whether to issue special permission to stay will be made, as before, taking into account overall consideration of their residence conditions and their capacity to make a living. As for cases where foreign nationals become illegal residents because their spouse’s domestic violence prevents them from making due applications within their authorized periods of stay, whether or not to issue special permission to stay will be decided taking into account overall consideration of the relevant conditions.

### 3. Other Major Issues

## (1) Development of the Immigration Control System

The immigration control system will be further developed in order to contribute to the progressive development of Japan as a whole, and to meet requests at home and abroad for more open and smooth acceptance of foreign nationals who should be welcomed in Japan and reinforcement of a check system to eliminate foreign nationals planning illegal employment in Japan through the secure implementation of the measures specified in this 3rd Basic Plan.

In this respect, utilizing information for both smooth and strict enforcement of immigration control will be promoted by integrating and analyzing immigration control information in a unified manner and utilizing such information in all possible fields, including landing examinations, status of residence examinations and detection of illegal foreign residents.

## (3) Appropriate Enforcement of the New Refugee Recognition System

The refugee recognition system was reviewed to introduce the refugee examination counselors system and other matters. The immigration control administration continues to fulfill its responsibilities in the global community by enforcing the new system smoothly and appropriately, eliminating foreign nationals disguising themselves as refugees and protecting real refugees.

In order to promptly and appropriately process refugee recognition applications, it is necessary to develop an investigation system for refugee recognition, expand training to improve investigation know-how and accumulate information including the conditions of applicants' home countries. Therefore, frequent exchange of information with relevant agencies will be carried out and accumulated information will be utilized in investigations.