Japan Immigration News

Grad student’s film shows plight of detained foreigners

Release Date: 2026-01-28
Media: The Asahi Shimbun
Summary: Inspired by the death of Sri Lankan detainee Wishma Sandamali, a Tokyo University of the Arts graduate student, Kensho Sakamoto, created the feature film Imaginary Line as his 2024 graduation project. The film, unusually selected for a commercial screening at a Tokyo arthouse cinema, explores the harsh realities faced by foreign nationals without residency status in Japan amid tightening immigration policies.

The story follows Yume, a woman born in Japan but undocumented due to her mother’s illegal entry, and her friend Fumiko. After Yume is detained by immigration authorities, the film depicts her growing despair and Fumiko’s anger at the system’s perceived absurdity. The title refers both to a filmmaking concept and a symbolic line dividing those with and without legal status.

To prepare, Sakamoto interviewed around 40 immigration detainees and people on provisional release, aiming to portray their fears, frustrations, and restricted lives. Rather than offering solutions or moral judgments, the film leaves viewers with lingering questions.

Critics have praised the work for its strong social message, noting its emotional impact despite the absence of a clear resolution. Sakamoto hopes the film encourages audiences to reconsider Japan’s approach to immigration at a time when public discourse is becoming increasingly restrictive. The film is currently screening in Tokyo and is scheduled to be shown in other regions of Japan.
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