Ex-Japan immigration officer queries 'black box' hiding policy on foreigners' rights (Pt 1) May 10, 2021 (Mainichi Japan) Former immigration officer Yoichi Kinoshita is seen in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on April 12, 2021. (Mainichi/Yukinao Kin) TOKYO -- Debate over a proposed revision of Japan's immigration control law has reached a peak in Diet proceedings. The country's immigration policy has been the target of criticism from both in and outside Japan over issues such as the extremely low refugee status recognition rate of less than 1%, infinite detention periods of foreign nationals served with deportation orders, and inhumane treatment of such individuals. The Mainichi Shimbun sat down with a former immigration officer who revealed the inner workings of Japan's immigration agency to examine whether revisions to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act would actually help solve the country's immigration administration issues.