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Japan Forward
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Immigration in Japan: Understanding Who is a Refugee
このページを 日本語 で読む Criticisms such as "Japan is cold toward refugees" or "Japan accepts very few refugees" frequently appear in the media. In the past, there may have been a basis to think so. But, I have worked in immigration and refugee support for decades. I believe it's important to highlight that Japan has a nearly 50-year history of accepting and assisting refugees. Fourth in the Series. Read the series, Immigration in Japan Recent years have seen a sharp rise in displaced persons and refugees. This has been driven by events such as the military coup in Myanmar, the Taliban's return in Afghanistan, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In response to these crises, Japan has offered protection by granting various forms of legal status to those seeking asylum. Unlike some countries, Japan does not take a blanket approach to granting refugee status based solely on country or regional origin. This includes cases such as victims of severe food shortages and disease in the Congo, natural disaster survivors, or those fleeing conflict zones like Syria and Iraq. Each application is examined individually, and when there is a strong likelihood that the applicant qualifies as a refugee, they are granted refugee status. Even when an applicant does not meet the criteria for refugee status, Japan may give special humanitarian consideration specific to the individual's circumstances. When it is determined that those humanitarian circumstances warrant, special permission to stay beyond the normal period of their visa may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. Japan's approach to refugee issues began to shift in a more positive direction after it signed the international conventions and developed a domestic legal framework in the 1980s. In Japan, the question of "Who qualifies as a refugee?" has been debated for many years. Japan joined the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees (collectively referred to as the "Refugee Convention"). Since then, the government has consistently adhered to a strict interpretation of the definition when determining refugee status. So, what is a "refugee?" In summary, a refugee is someone who: "Owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality and is unable or unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country." If even one of these criteria is not met, the person will not be granted refugee status. A family of Afghan refugees arrives on the outskirts of Chaman, a town in southwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border. April 3, 2025 (©AP via Kyodo News). Japan's approach to refugee issues began to shift in a more positive direction after it signed the international conventions and developed a domestic legal framework in the 1980s. Public support for Indochinese refugees during this period was especially commendable. Those included laudable efforts by the Refugee Assistance Headquarters of the Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Asian People, other civic groups, and corporations. While there may be differing views on the number of refugees accepted, that debate should not overshadow Japan's efforts. The fact that the country continued accepting Indochinese refugees until 2005 is something that deserves positive recognition. From the late 1990s to the early 2010s, the number of asylum applications increased significantly. This period also saw the rise of the internet and affordable international travel booking systems, making the global refugee situation more visible and accessible. For applicants, the world became a more easily connected place. In 2024, 12,373 individuals applied for refugee status in Japan. That marked a decrease of 1,450 applicants, about 10.5% lower than the 2023 high of 13,823 applications. Notably, of these, 1,355 applicants (roughly 11%) had previously filed for refugee status. Refugee applicants came from 92 different countries in 2024, with the most common nationalities being Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, India, and Pakistan. Particularly, applicants claiming to be Thai nationals accounted for 2,128 cases, a dramatic, elevenfold surge from just 184 cases in 2023. Thailand thus ranked as the second largest nationality group, after Sri Lanka. One possible reason for this spike is the tightened crackdown on illegal employment in South Korea, which has long accepted large numbers of foreign workers. As a result, some observers believe that Thai labor brokers involved in undocumented employment are now redirecting their operations toward Japan. Japan's current policy focuses on accurately identifying and supporting those who genuinely need protection. To achieve this, the government is working to enhance the transparency of the application process, reinforce the administrative and institutional foundations of refugee support, improve the analysis and sharing of country-of-origin information, and train personnel involved in processing refugee claims. But it all depends on understanding who is a refugee. It's necessary to process applications quickly and fairly. Ensuring that employment permissions for applicants during the application process are handled properly is also an important issue. Misuse and abuse of the system require careful and appropriate responses. Especially egregious cases of abuse should be dealt with strictly for the sake of the applicants. This is also essential to maintaining long-term trust in the system. The Refugee Convention is based on the sovereignty of nations and the importance of borders. As it defines a refugee under the treaty, those who flee for reasons other than persecution would not be considered refugees. Nevertheless, terms like "persecution" and "fear," along with the qualifier "well-founded," are abstract and ultimately left to each country's interpretation. In other words, states are permitted some flexibility to apply the definition in ways that align with their national interests. Taking national differences into account, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) later developed more standardized guidelines. In its Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status, the UNHCR calls on countries to apply a consistent interpretation of what defines a refugee. Over half a century has passed since the Refugee Convention was established. While its core principles remain, the circumstances that compel people to flee their homelands have become far more diverse than just persecution. Today, there are civil wars, large-scale political unrest involving both domestic and foreign actors, natural disasters, extreme poverty, and foreign occupation. As we have moved into the 21st century, globalization has sped up changes in how we live, work, govern, and connect, from our cultures and economies to politics and technology. These days, people around the world can access information and communicate across borders with ease and at little cost. A malnourished child receiving treatment in Port Sudan, northeastern Sudan. The country remains gripped by civil war. September 2024 (©Reuters via Kyodo). Social media and widespread internet access have fueled dreams of safe, prosperous societies. They have also spread admiration for democracy, an ideal that transcends race, religion, and national borders. Its influence now seems almost limitless. However, the gap between these digital ideals and the reality of the international system is growing quickly. I believe it remains essential that we respect the broadly recognized principle that decisions to accept refugees lie within the sovereign rights of each nation. Continues in Part Five: So, You Want to Live Here? Author: Fusako Yanase In addition to being an expert on immigration, Yanase is a best-selling author and former Honorary Chair of the Certified NPO Association for Aid and Relief, Japan. このページを 日本語 で読む
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
SOS International demands refugee status for PoJK displaced
Jammu, Jun 19 (UNI) As the world marks World Refugee Day on June 20, Rajiv Chuni, Chairman SOS International- an organisation for displaced persons of Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) on Thursday demanded refugee status for PoJK displaced persons. In a handout issued here, Chuni, claiming to represent over 1.5 million PoJK displaced people, demanded that the Government of India and the UNHCR recognise their refugee status, denied for 78 years, to grant them access to international protections and aid. 'While the world celebrates, we are left in limbo, stripped of dignity and rights,' he stated, highlighting a humanitarian crisis that undermines the spirit of World Refugee Day. Since the 1947 conflict over Jammu and Kashmir, PoJK displaced persons from Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, and Poonch fled, leaving behind homes, lands, and livelihoods. India's stance that PoJK is its territory classifies them as 'displaced persons' rather than refugees, denying them protections under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which India has not signed. This leaves them without UNHCR aid or clear legal status, despite being Indian citizens. 'For 78 years, three generations have endured poverty, living in cramped camps with inadequate land and compensation,' Chuni said. 'If we are not responsible for our displacement, why do we suffer?' Chuni urged India to form a commission for fair compensation, leftover land rights, political empowerment and integration, and called on the UNHCR to explore solutions within India's territorial stance. 'Ignoring us mocks human rights,' he said, demanding recognition as refugees. The PoJK displaced people, now numbering over 1.5 million, carry stories of loss and resilience. As World Refugee Day approaches, Chuni's plea is clear: 'This is a moral failing. Act now, or the celebration of human rights rings hollow.' Their struggle demands bold policy and global attention to end an exile that has lasted too long. UNI VBH RKM SSP
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Expert: Malaysia must balance law and humanity in Rohingya refugee crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must urgently strike a balance between its domestic immigration policies and international humanitarian obligations in addressing the plight of Myanmar refugees, analysts say. Universiti Utara Malaysia's School of International Studies (Academic and International) deputy dean Dr Shazwanis Shukri said that while deporting the Rohingya — who make up the majority of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia — was not a viable option, the existing policy vacuum remained deeply concerning. She said that refugees continued to be treated as undocumented migrants, leaving thousands in legal limbo and vulnerable to exploitation, detention, and abuse. "The reality is that Malaysia has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, and therefore does not formally recognise refugees within its legal framework. "However, under customary international law, we are bound by the principle of non-refoulement — meaning we cannot return them to a country where they face persecution," she told the New Straits Times. Shazwanis said one practical approach would be to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to register Rohingya asylum seekers and issue identification cards that provide limited protection from arrest or deportation. However, she said that this informal arrangement had clear limitations, leaving many in prolonged uncertainty without access to legal employment, public education, or government healthcare services. To address these gaps, she proposed the introduction of a temporary protection framework tailored for the Rohingya community, recognising their unique status as stateless individuals and victims of systematic ethnic persecution. "This could include temporary residency rights, legal access to employment in specific sectors, and minimal access to essential services such as healthcare and education — ideally in partnership with NGOs and UN agencies," she said. Without such measures, Shazwanis said, Malaysia risked a cascade of humanitarian, legal, diplomatic, and security challenges. Legally, the government's current stance also contradicts its commitments under international conventions it has ratified, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). "There is also a growing security dimension to consider. Leaving a large population in limbo, with no legal status or livelihood options, creates opportunities for human trafficking, forced labour, and even recruitment into extremist networks," she added. She also urged a more active regional response through Asean, highlighting the absence of a formal refugee framework within the bloc. Meanwhile, Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said Malaysia should refrain from deporting Myanmar refugees, regardless of whether they are officially recognised by the UNHCR. "This is not about interfering in Myanmar's domestic affairs — it is a humanitarian matter. Deporting them now, under the current regime, risks exposing them to political persecution," he said. Azmi added that Malaysia had long accommodated not only Myanmar refugees but also undocumented migrants from other parts of the region, including Indonesia, despite lacking a formal refugee policy. As Asean chair this year, he said Malaysia had a chance to demonstrate leadership through compassion. "We must lead by example and show that we are capable of hosting the Rohingya, even if the Myanmar junta disapproves. "Until Myanmar returns to civilian rule and upholds the Asean Five-Point Consensus, we must prioritise humanitarian values." On June 16, Myanmar refugees in Malaysia
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rising refugee crisis amid collapse of global moral order
With the rise of populist nationalism and majoritarianism, the displaced are facing an unprecedented pushback around the world. Last week, the Lancet pointed out that one in every eight people in the world is on the move today, driven by economic, political, demographic, environmental and socio-cultural forces. However, even as migration—including movement propelled by climate emergencies—is emerging as one of the biggest concerns in the 21st century, the rights and lives of refugees are coming under inhumane pressure. In this context, it is a solemn moment to remember that, stung by the partition's humongous refugee crisis, India has not ratified either the 1951 Refugee Convention, which serves as the principal legal document defining refugee status, or the 1967 Protocol that removed geographic and time-based limitations on the status. These treaties flowed from 1948's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the high-minded document that underlined the newly-formed UN's purpose. Today, with its resolutions observed more in breach, the warnings of its secretary-general ignored and the funding of its agencies gutted, the UN system is becoming increasingly comatose. The Lancet pointed out that the World Health Organization's Health and Migration Programme faces an uncertain future barely five years after being set up; the health journal warned of the devastating consequences of its closure for millions of refugees around the world.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India not a signatory, UNHCR card not valid here, says court
Representative image THANE: Additional sessions judge G T Pawar on Monday sentenced eight Rohingya Muslims to two years of simple imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000 each for illegally entering and residing in India without proper documentation. The court also ordered their deportation to Myanmar upon completion of their sentence. A ninth accused, who was charged with abetting their illegal entry, was acquitted due to a lack of evidence. The case dates back to Feb 2024, when the police received a tip-off about some foreign nationals living near the Uttan shore. During a raid at Chowkgaon, police found several individuals attempting to flee. Upon detention, they were found carrying UNHCR cards that confirmed their Myanmar citizenship. However, the court clarified that such cards hold no legal value in India, as the country is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. Letters from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office and police authorities further confirmed that holders of UNHCR cards are not permitted to reside in India. Judge Pawar cited SC's ruling in Mohammad Salimullah vs Union of India (2021), which allowed for the deportation of Rohingya Muslims following due procedure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¿Padece una enfermedad renal crónica (ERC)? Trialbee Más información Undo The court also referred to past judgments stating that the burden of proving citizenship lies on the accused. During sentencing, the accused appealed for mercy on humanitarian grounds, stating that conditions in Myanmar were unsafe. However, the court rejected the plea, noting that India's population burden and internal security concerns override such considerations.
