Japan's Diet has enacted controversial revisions to its immigration law. The ruling coalition says the changes will protect the rights of foreigners while closing a loophole that helped some abuse the system. But critics say it's a major step backward.

Japanese authorities will be able to deport asylum seekers who have applied for refugee status more than two times, unless they can provide adequate reasons. Under the current system, they are exempt while their applications are being processed.

Liberal Democratic Party members, and their partners in the Diet, argued some people have used the rule to avoid deportation.

There are also revisions aimed at preventing long stays at immigration detention facilities. People who've been detained will have their case reviewed every three months. They may be approved to stay with an authorized guarantor while their deportation process is underway.

It comes after Wishma Sandamali, a Sri Lankan woman, died in a Japanese immigration facility in 2021. Her family is seeking compensation from Japan's government over accusations detention staff failed to provide adequate medical care.

Her sisters were inside the Diet when the new law was enacted. They criticized Japan's government for moving ahead, despite concerns voiced by opposition lawmakers.

Constitutional Democratic Party members say the law endangers people who face persecution in their home countries, but can't receive refugee status in Japan.

They say immigration authorities are not properly conducting screenings, noting Japan's extremely low rate of refugee recognition. The CDP has called for an independent watchdog to be set up.

But government officials say the law WILL protect people. They say it will create a new system for those who have fled conflict areas but do not meet refugee criteria.