A DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUEST :
The java language specification lacks the realization of a correct protected modifier. Protected elements should be visible in sub packages also. But Java treats sub packages like separate packages. Sometimes this causes you a hard time to create clean APIs with small packages. You have to effectively put everything into one big package in cases, where you need visibility in other classes of your project, but don't want to pollute the API.

JUSTIFICATION :
This limitation leads to polluted APIs or big packages.