Hundreds of people formed a human chain in front of the Justice Ministry on Wednesday, seeking to draw attention to the plight of more than 1,000 foreigners held at detention centers across the country in connection with immigration procedures.
The rally comes amid protests by human rights lawyers and campaigners in Japan over what they describe as undue, lengthy detention periods faced by these foreigners.
The campaigners are also calling on the Justice Ministry to create a more open and multicultural society, with particular regard to the interests of asylum-seekers.