A group of lawyers claimed Tuesday that a female asylum seeker was asked inappropriate questions by a counselor during questioning earlier this year.

Asserting that similar cases have taken place in the past, members of the Japan Lawyers Network for Refugees filed a complaint against the Justice Ministry's Immigration Bureau on the same day, demanding improvements in the attitudes and behavior of refugee examination counselors.

"Inappropriate comments have constantly been made" when refugees are questioned about their intentions, Ayane Odagawa, a member of the network, said during a news conference held at the Tokyo District Court, adding that asylum seekers greatly fear verbal abuse.