ASEAN Consular Officers Strengthen Cooperation on Migration and Public Safety
Members of the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT) led by Deputy Chief of Mission Christian L. De Jesus (front, fourth from left), together with the representatives from the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD), pose for a group photo on the occasion of the ASEAN Consular Officers’ Meeting held in Tokyo
TOKYO, 17 April 2026 – The ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT), through its consular officers, convened on 09 April 2026 at the Philippine Embassy for the ASEAN Consular Officers’ Meeting to exchange insights on Japan’s policies on migration management and the safety and welfare of their respective nationals in Japan.
The meeting gathered consular officers and staff from ten (10) ASEAN embassies in Japan, alongside representatives from the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD), who served as resource persons.
ISA Deputy Director Mr. Yasuhisa Arai presented Japan’s policy direction aimed at strengthening public safety while promoting harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals, and highlighted ISA’s initiatives on enhanced border control measures, stricter immigration procedures, and digital transformation to improve system efficiency.
Further discussed was the “Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan,” which seeks to reduce illegal residency through stronger enforcement measures, including deportation procedures and monitoring systems, while maintaining safeguards for legitimate travelers and residents.
ISA also outlined the expected short-term impacts of the policy, including a reduction of refugee application processing times and an increase in government-funded deportations.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Yushi Urakawa of the TMPD provided an overview of recent crime trends in Japan involving foreign nationals. The presentation emphasized the importance of compliance with Japanese laws, public awareness, and cooperation with authorities.
The TMPD also outlined its preventive initiatives, including multilingual information campaigns, public lectures, and outreach activities conducted in schools and international communities to promote safety, disaster preparedness, and awareness of common crimes.
Participants engaged in an open forum, exchanging views on consular challenges and practices in assisting their respective nationals. The discussions underscored the importance of continued coordination between ASEAN missions and Japanese authorities in addressing shared concerns related to migration, law enforcement, and community integration.
The ASEAN Consular Officers’ Meeting reaffirmed the commitment of ASEAN embassies in Tokyo to work collaboratively with host government institutions in ensuring the welfare, safety, and protection of their nationals in Japan.
