The following is a summary of an article in the Sankei Shimbun (June 13, 2025) in which Iwatake Naoto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, denies suspending the visa exemption for Turkey, says, “He has no intention of achieving zero illegal stays.”
At the House of Councillors Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, regarding the refugee application issue of the Turkish Kurdish minority living in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya once again denied the request by LDP’s Taro Kono and others to suspend short-term visa exemptions for Turkish nationals. In response, Japan Restoration Party’s Hirofumi Yanagisawa harshly criticized the suspension, saying it goes against the Zero Illegal Overstay Plan. He argued that the suspension of visa exemptions is effective in blocking the first step in the “scheme” of entering the country for tourism purposes, applying for refugee status, and working.
Yanagisawa cited the example of the suspension of visa exemptions for Iran in the 1990s to demonstrate the effectiveness of the measure. He also pointed out the lack of cooperation and effectiveness between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticizing the LDP for “only calling for measures against illegal residence before elections, but it seems they have no intention of actually doing so.”
Furthermore, Yanagase sounded the alarm that Japan has adopted a de facto immigration policy, and that the number of foreign residents has increased 1.7 times in the past 10 years, which is affecting social security and public safety. Citing the example of the United States, he said that immigration policies create division and friction in every country, and argued that “we should stop for a moment and consider restricting total numbers.”
Background of Visa Waiver Suspension in Japan
Visa waiver programs are bilateral or unilateral arrangements that allow nationals of certain countries to enter Japan for short-term purposes such as tourism or business without obtaining a visa. These programs serve as an essential tool for promoting international exchange and economic activity. However, when problems such as overstaying or abuse of the immigration and asylum systems arise, the Japanese government has, in the past, reconsidered or even suspended these privileges.
Case Study: Japan’s Response to Iranian Overstayers
A notable example in Japan’s history is the issue involving Iranian nationals in the 1990s through the early 2000s. During this period, many Iranian citizens entered Japan legally on short-term visas or under simplified visa procedures, but later overstayed or engaged in unauthorized employment. The surge in undocumented Iranian residents became a serious concern for Japanese immigration authorities.
In response, the Japanese government revised its visa issuance policy for Iranians, tightening screening procedures and requiring additional documentation such as letters of guarantee and proof of sufficient funds. Moreover, efforts were made to strengthen oversight during their stay in Japan. These changes significantly curbed the influx of irregular Iranian migrants and served as a precedent for how visa policies may be altered in reaction to increased misuse.
While this measure helped manage the situation in the short term, it also demonstrated the broader consequences of such actions, including reduced bilateral travel and increased diplomatic friction. Thus, visa policy must be addressed with a balance between immigration control and the preservation of international relations.
Applying Visa Waiver Suspension to the Kurdish Issue: Potential Problems
In recent years, the number of Kurdish people from Turkey applying for refugee status in Japan has increased sharply. Many of them initially enter Japan under the visa waiver program (as Turkish citizens), then apply for refugee status after arrival. Under Japan’s current system, asylum seekers cannot be forcibly deported while their application is under review. This effectively allows them to remain in Japan for prolonged periods, even if their claims are ultimately rejected.
Some have argued that this represents an abuse of the system and have called for the suspension of the visa waiver agreement with Turkey. However, applying a blanket suspension in this case raises several critical issues.
1. Impact on Law-Abiding Turkish Citizens
The majority of Turkish nationals visiting Japan do so for legitimate reasons such as tourism, academic exchange, or business. A blanket suspension of visa-free travel would impose significant inconvenience on these individuals, potentially harming people-to-people exchange and Japan’s tourism sector.
2. Diplomatic Repercussions
Visa waiver arrangements are typically based on reciprocity. If Japan were to suspend its waiver for Turkish citizens, it is highly likely that Turkey would reciprocate by requiring visas for Japanese nationals. This could create friction in bilateral relations and negatively impact economic and political ties.
3. Humanitarian Concerns
Many Kurdish people claim to be subject to ethnic or political discrimination in Turkey. Some countries, particularly in Europe, have recognized certain Kurdish asylum seekers as genuine refugees. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for Japan to summarily label all Kurdish applicants as fraudulent. A visa waiver suspension might prevent legitimate asylum seekers from reaching safety and undermine Japan’s international obligations under humanitarian law.
Practical Alternatives to Blanket Visa Waiver Suspension
Given the complex legal, diplomatic, and humanitarian implications, suspending visa waivers should be treated as a last resort. Instead, Japan should pursue sustainable and targeted alternatives. Several practical measures are outlined below.
1. Introduction of a Japanese ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
One of the most effective alternatives would be the implementation of a Japanese version of ESTA, similar to the U.S. and Australian systems. Under such programs, travelers from visa-exempt countries must apply online for pre-travel authorization. This allows authorities to screen potential visitors before they even board a flight, identifying individuals with prior immigration violations or suspected of abuse.
A Japanese ESTA would allow the government to maintain visa-free access while minimizing security and immigration risks. For example, individuals who have previously filed multiple asylum applications or have suspicious travel histories could be flagged and denied authorization, all without dismantling the entire visa waiver framework.
2. Reform of the Refugee Application Process
Currently, Japan’s refugee status determination process is notoriously slow and has a very low acceptance rate. The prolonged screening period allows applicants to legally remain in Japan even if they are ultimately deemed ineligible. To address this, the government should invest in increasing the number of trained asylum officers and improving screening efficiency through digital tools, possibly including AI-based risk assessment.
Moreover, Japan should consider introducing limits on repeat applications, a practice already in place in many other developed countries. This would deter individuals from abusing the system by filing multiple applications simply to prolong their stay.
3. Strengthening Immigration Screening and Information Sharing
At the border, immigration officers should be empowered to conduct more detailed reviews based on past travel behavior, stay records, and application history. Establishing information-sharing agreements with source countries, such as Turkey, would also help in identifying individuals who may pose a higher risk of violating immigration rules.
Enhanced pre-departure screening in cooperation with Turkish authorities could further reduce the chances of high-risk individuals boarding a flight to Japan in the first place.
4. Introduction of Complementary Protection Mechanisms
Japan’s current refugee system adheres strictly to the definition outlined in the 1951 Refugee Convention. As a result, many individuals fleeing violence, discrimination, or instability—but who do not meet the formal definition of a refugee—are denied protection. Introducing a “complementary protection” system, similar to those in the EU or Canada, would allow Japan to grant temporary protection to individuals who cannot return safely to their home country, even if they are not recognized as refugees.
Such a mechanism would help distinguish between those with genuine humanitarian needs and those migrating primarily for economic reasons, allowing the system to function more fairly and effectively.
Conclusion
While visa waiver suspension can serve as a short-term deterrent to abuse, it comes with significant diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian costs. The case of Iranian nationals in Japan’s past highlights both the efficacy and risks of tightening visa policies. However, the current Kurdish issue involving Turkish passport holders requires a more nuanced response.
Rather than resorting to blanket visa suspension, Japan should focus on implementing targeted, practical measures such as a Japanese ESTA, streamlining the refugee review process, strengthening entry screening, and considering the introduction of complementary protection systems. These approaches would help balance the need for border control with Japan’s commitment to human rights and international cooperation.
By pursuing such a comprehensive and humane policy, Japan can maintain the integrity of its immigration system while fulfilling its international responsibilities in a manner that is both realistic and sustainable.