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[Health and welfare of foreign children and pregnant women overstaying their visas in Japan].

In recent years, the problems of foreign nationals who are working in Japan without proper visa status, or who are illegally staying in Japan (overstaying) have been actively discussed by the mass media as constituting a major social problem. The rapid increase in number of "stateless" children suggests that the issue of foreign mothers and children, in particular, can no longer be neglected. Obtaining accurate knowledge of the current state of this problem is, however, difficult as almost no nationwide surveys have been conducted. Our study was conducted among welfare centers throughout Japan for the purpose of determining the current state of overstaying foreign children and pregnant women, and to reveal problems in the health and welfare of these mothers and children. At the same time, future directions were examined. A questionnaire was mailed to welfare centers throughout Japan in August 1993, and 562 responses were received with the following information: 1) About 10% of the welfare centers investigated have been consulted by overstaying foreign children and pregnant women. 2) About 70% of the welfare centers consulted by overstaying foreigners have helped them as far as possible. 3) About 20% of the welfare centers have asked for the cooperation of individual volunteers and nongovernmental organizations to provide solutions in such cases. 4) Of the consultations related to children, infants of less than three years of age accounted for about 90%. 5) Common problems related to pregnant women were the cost of childbirth and guarantee of visa status. 6) Some of the problems in these cases were solved by application of the Livelihood Protection Law, the Child Welfare Law, and the Child and Maternal Health Law. 7) Individual cases were reported by welfare centers throughout Japan, and revealed the existence of various health and welfare problems. Mechanisms for welfare centers to handle these cases and provide assistance poses a significant challenge for the future.