Japan Immigration News

Japan govt. against releasing full video of woman who died at immigration center

Release Date
2025-09-30
Media
NHK
Summary
The family of Wishma Sandamali, a Sri Lankan woman who died in 2021 at the Nagoya immigration detention facility, is suing the Japanese government to release all surveillance footage of her final days (about 295 hours).

So far, only five hours have been disclosed during an earlier damages trial. In May, the family filed a new lawsuit in Tokyo, arguing that withholding the rest is illegal.

At the first hearing, Wishma’s sister Poornima urged full disclosure to uncover the truth. The government asked the court to dismiss the case, saying the footage is personal information that the family cannot demand, and releasing it would pose security risks by revealing camera placements.
Tags
Detainees Rights,Court