A Japanese opposition lawmaker is set to be removed from the Upper House Judicial Affairs Committee over remarks she made concerning the death of Sri Lankan national Wishma Sandamali at an immigration detention facility in Japan.
Japanese media reported that Mizuho Umeimura, a lawmaker from the Nippon Ishin party, made controversial remarks about Wishma’s death during a committee discussion on amendments to immigration control and refugee-related legislation on the 16th.
She reportedly said that Wishma may have died after going on a hunger strike at the request of someone else.
Wishma Sandamali travelled to Japan on a student visa in 2017 and was arrested in 2020 for violating visa regulations. She was detained at the Nagoya immigration detention centre for several months and died there on March 6, 2021.
Her death subsequently sparked calls in Japan for reforms to the country’s immigration laws and detention system.
At a special press conference held over the lawmaker’s remarks, Nippon Ishin Secretary-General Fumitake Fujita said Umeimura would be removed from the Upper House Judicial Affairs Committee and face disciplinary measures.
He also apologised to Wishma’s family and all those concerned over the lawmaker’s remarks.
