**Japan Deports Record Numbers, Stoking Refugee Fears**

Japan is forcibly removing more undocumented foreigners than ever before. Rights groups warn this crackdown is terrifying asylum seekers and may violate Japan's duty to protect refugees. Official data shows 318 people were deported under escort in 2025. This is a 30% increase from the year before. The rise is linked to the government's "Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan," or "Zero Plan." The policy aims to find and deport people without legal status. However, advocates say it fails to distinguish between those overstaying visas and people fleeing danger who are seeking asylum. "The government's push to remove more migrants is clashing with its duty to protect refugees," one group stated. They report that the tougher drive is causing deep fear among asylum applicants and even some long-term foreign residents. Japan accepts very few refugees. Critics argue the Zero Plan prioritizes deportation over careful, individual reviews of asylum claims. The government has not yet responded to these specific concerns.