Japan's bishops protest police intrusion, arrest in Catholic church
(July 16, 2012) The Catholic bishops of Japan have sent a letter of protest to the
government after police entered a Catholic church without notice or warrant to arrest
a Filipino layman for not carrying a passport. The July 2 letter sent to the president
of the National Public Safety Commission, Jin Matsubara, argues that police violated
religious freedom rights. The bishops expressed outrage over the actions of six or
seven officers who entered a church in the Diocese of Yokohama on May 27, the Solemnity
of Pentecost. UCAnews reported that police arrested a Filipino man who had overstayed
his visa in Japan. Father Takashi Motoyanagi, the pastor of the church, said police
had no right to enter the property without a warrant or advanced notice. Witnesses
also said the tactics they used during the arrest were excessive. The bishops' letter
– delivered to government officials by conference president Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga
of Osaka called for the police not to interfere in Church activities, illegally enter
Church grounds and to refrain from conducting investigations against those visiting
churches or near church grounds. Matsubara acknowledge “the action violated common
sense,” and said, “We will ensure that there is no repeat of such an incident.” Japan’s
population of 127 million includes some 500,000 Catholics.