South Korean Activists, Including a Wheelchair User, Two Caregivers Refused Entry to Japan at Narita

By Barrier Free Japan

November 26 2024

TOKYO –  A number of South Korean social activists, including a wheelchair user and two caregivers were refused entry to Japan at Narita Airport on November 22nd, according to Daisaku Seto, the Executive Director of the ‘Anti-Poverty Network’, a Japan-based Civic Group.

Seto, writing on Facebook, said that eighteen people, including six wheelchair users would arrive from South Korea on November 22nd, that ‘Anti-Poverty Network’ had arranged meetings “with the families of the victims of the “Tsukui Yamayuri En Incident”, a meeting with three disabled members of the “Reiwa Shinseigumi”, and a meeting to listen to the testimony of an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima.” Seto goes on to say in the Facebook post that he:

“received an urgent call from the interpreter. A person in wheelchair and two caregivers have been refused entry to Japan. The members of the group who had been allowed to enter Japan were protesting in front of customs to be allowed to enter the country.  According to information I received from several trusted acquaintances, the number of social activists being denied entry into Japan has been increasing recently, and I urgently consulted with a Diet member’s office and a refugee lawyer to negotiate with the Ministry of Justice.”

Seto went on to say in the Facebook post that speaking to immigration officials 20 minutes before the person was deported on 7PM flight to Seoul that they “can’t tell you the reason” although mention was made of a person being arrested at a demonstration.