TOKYO, Dec 12: Hundreds of Nepali students in Japan have been exploited by keeping their private documents including passport on hold, reported Okinawa Times.
The schools where they are studying have also seized their Zaiyu cards and insurance cards provided by the Japan government.
Over 2,000 Nepali students are pursuing their language studies in various schools in Okinawa Island, where most of them are girls.
The schools have violated human rights by seizing their Zaiyu card, insurance card in cahoots with Nepali agents involved in taking Nepali students to Okinawa, educational consultancies and school management, said Okinawa Times.
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The schools said that they have taken their private cards on hold after having found that a number of school dropouts started growing.
Most of the Nepali female students are exploited under various pretexts. Those who are weak in Japanese language and have little money are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation in Okinawa.
Okinawa Times said that those newly arrived female students are charged money for providing them employment and those who do not have money are proposed for sex.
The job offering companies and schools in Okinawa have also reportedly exploited female students sexually.
Besides, the companies are allegedly making them work more than 28 hours and giving them less than the one fixed by the Japan government per hour.
Most of the Nepali students are engaged in menial jobs including, agriculture, chopping meat and curry while some are forced to work in illegal dance bar and restaurants.
Japanese mainstream media have also highlighted this issue.
Guilty will be brought to book: Acting Ambassador Aryal
Nepali Acting Ambassador to Japan Krishna Chandra Aryal has said that the Nepali Embassy in Japan has been concerned with the issue.
He said that those found guilty will be penalized. “The Nepali Embassy in Japan is always ready to work in favor of Nepal and Nepali people,” Aryal told Republica Online.
Nepali people involved in the exploitation of Nepali girls will be penalized in line with the Nepal’s law and diplomatic process will be initiated for action against those schools involved in the issue in Okinawa, added Aryal.
