Calderons will be allowed short visits to see daughter

The Filipino parents of a 13-year-old girl will be allowed to return for short stays in Japan to see their daughter after their deportation for illegal entry, Justice Minister Eisuke Mori said Friday.

"We will be willing to give the parents special permission to return (after they are deported) if they want to see their daughter," said Mori, speaking at a press conference about the high-profile deportation case involving the Filipino family, who reside in Warabi, Saitama Prefecture.

Arlan and Sarah Calderon have until Monday to leave the country. The justice minister has already signaled his intention to allow only the daughter, Noriko, who was born in Japan, to remain.

In the case of a conventional deportation, the parents would not be able to revisit Japan for five years, but Mori suggested he will allow them to make short visits within the five-year period.

Mori also noted that Noriko has relatives in Japan who can take care of her, referring to her aunt, who lives in Saitama Prefecture.

The parents, both undocumented, have been seeking special permission for residence for the entire family of three so they can continue to live in Japan with their daughter, who attends a junior high school in Warabi.

But the Justice Ministry and immigration authorities have repeatedly rejected their pleas.