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In November 1999, The Urgent Appeal for the Japanese Government to Grant "Special Permission for Residence" to the Twenty-one Foreign Overstayers was submitted to the Ministry of Justice. In spite of the time limitation, a total of 593 signatures were obtained among researchers, with over 100 signatures from abroad. The list of the signatories was submitted to the Ministry of Justice along with the joint statement made by Japanese researchers, as well as some overseas experts' views supporting the demand. More details on the whole process of this advocacy movement can be found at : http://www.geocities.co.jp/CollegeLife-Labo/8108/overstay.htm. In February 2000, the Ministry of Justice gave "Special Permission for Residence" to sixteen out of the twenty-one foreigners who had applied for the permission. It was during the International Symposium held at Waseda University in Tokyo (24-26 September, 1999), "New Trends in Asia Pacific Migration and Consequences for Japan", that some of the scholars who had initiated this advocacy movement for the overstaying foreigners called for the participation of other researchers in drafting the joint statement. The symposium was organised by the Japanese Organising Committee in co-operation with the Asia Pacific Migration Research Network (APMRN) in the framework of UNESCO's MOST Programme. Neither UNESCO nor Waseda University had direct connections with the appeal to the Japanese Government. Nevertheless, in light of the objectives of the symposium, the series of events which took place in the months following the symposium are worth presenting here as they illustrate the present situation of ‘transborder migrations’ into Japan within the context of socio-political transformations that the Japanese society is facing nowadays. Also, in line with the purposes of UNESCO's MOST programme, the formation of this advocacy network among scholars inside as well as outside Japan can be looked at as an interesting model case whereby interactions between ‘research communities’ and ‘policy-making communities’ have taken place.   The advocacy movement among scholars for ‘overstayers’ in Japan was significant for the MOST programme in terms of the following five characteristics: The advocacy network was formed initially among academic researchers who specialise in immigration issues, and it developed as a ‘social movement’ among research communities. The issue was highly political as it concerned the ‘illegal’ foreign migrant workers and their families, who were facing the risk of repatriation. The joint statement was made both in Japanese and English, so that the movement became influential worldwide. The list of those who supported the appeal can be found at: http://www.sfc.keio.ac.jp/~n96272ky/Enames.html The whole process was facilitated with the use of the Internet (i.e. Mailing List, e-mails, and Home Page in English and in Japanese) and the network got spread fairly quickly. The advocacy movement was carried out by the research communities in conjunction with NGOs and mass media. In summary, the advocacy movement highlighted the role of researchers as a body able to comment and advise on policies concerning foreign "overstayers" in Japan. The advocacy network of researchers became influential not only among academic communities, but developed linkages with NGO communities and even contributed to the formation of public opinions. The Internet was integral to building the international response to the issues. The legitimacy of networking and advocacy via the Internet was also strengthened. The process of the advocacy movement among researchers in/outside Japan with related events 1 September 1999: Twenty-one ‘overstayers’ reported themselves to Tokyo Immigration Bureau, asking for "Special   Permission  for Residence" in Japan 24-26 September 1999: International Symposium on "New Trends in Asia Pacific Migration", Waseda University, Tokyo 27 September 1999: The message from APFS (Asian People's Friendship Society, an NGO supporting foreigners’ life and work conditions) was sent to about 160 researchers in/outside Japan through e-mail. 5 October 1999: The start of the Mailing List among researchers 8 October 1999: The draft of the joint statement was finalised. The start of a Home Page in Japanese 11 October 1999: Conference of the Japan Sociology Society, with a session on ‘Drastic Changes of the Circumstances Surrounding Immigrants and Changes of Immigration Policies’ 17 October 1999: The completion of the joint statement 18 October 1999: The start of collecting signatures 22 October 1999: Release of the twenty-one ‘overstayers’ on parole 25 October 1999: The start of a Home Page in English 1 November 1999: The number of Japanese signatures reached more than 400, and those in English reached 70. 8 November 1999: The end of collecting signatures 11 November 1999: The joint statement was submitted to the Ministry of Justice, followed by a press conference 11 December 1999: International Symposium on Immigration Policies 31 January 2000: A Japanese booklet was published, titled as "Overstaying Foreigners and Special Permission to Stay: Japan's Immigration Policy at the   Crossroad" (Tokyo: Akashi Shoten). Articles were contributed from the panellists of the symposium held in December, and other scholars who took part in the advocacy movement. February 2000: The Ministry of Justice gave "Special Permission for Residence" to sixteen out of the twenty-one foreigners who had applied for the permission New Trends in Asia Pacific Migration and Consequences for Japan The aims of the International Symposium were to: Achieve a comprehensive understanding of key trends in transborder migrations in the Asia Pacific region, in collaboration with international researchers participating in the Asia Pacific Migration Research Network (APMRN). Improve understanding of relationships between transborder migration and social and cultural transformations. Inform Japanese international migration researchers about contemporary developments and debates in this field at the international level, and create linkages with international researchers.

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