National News

A Filipino family facing imminent deportation from Japan will be allowed to re-enter the country to visit their daughter if they choose to leave her behind, the Justice Ministry said.

"It would be reasonable to issue special re-entry permits for them if it was simply to see their daughter," Justice Minister Eisuke Mori said at a press conference on Friday.

The father of Noriko Calderon, 13, of Warabi, Saitama Prefecture, was told that the rest of the family will have to leave the country. He illegally entered Japan years ago.

"I have no intention of separating the family," the minister added. "The child may remain in Japan if her relatives living nearby can support her."

Usually, foreigners deported from Japan are prohibited from re-entering the country for at least five years. However, the special permits will allow Noriko's parents to stay for a short period of time.

The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau has asked the parents to make a decision by March 9.