Critics denounce Japan asylum reform as human rights violation

Activists attend a news conference on Japan's revised immigration law bill in Tokyo, Japan April 22, 2021. REUTERS/Akira Tomoshige

TOKYO (Reuters) - A planned reform of Japan's asylum law that would make it easier to deport failed applicants for refugee status drew fierce criticism on Thursday from lawyers, lawmakers and human rights groups who said it ran counter to international norms.

The government says the proposed reform, which would mean asylum seekers could be deported after a third failed application, will solve the problem of long detentions of asylum seekers while they re-apply, or appeal against a rejection.