Japan Immigration News

Asylum law tweaks don’t change Japan’s wariness of refugees

Release Date: 2023-11-30
Media: EAST ASIA FORUM
Summary: In June 2023, Japan’s Diet passed amendments to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA), introducing a new status called hokanteki hogo taishosha (complementary protection) for individuals who fear persecution but do not meet the 1951 Refugee Convention's strict definition of refugee. Set to take effect on December 1, 2023, this status allows applicants to receive long-term residency of up to five years and access to settlement support programs, unlike those with Special Permission to Stay (SPS) which is temporary and granted solely at the justice minister's discretion.

Despite the new status, critics argue Japan's refugee policies remain restrictive. Another amendment under ICRRA will, by June 2024, allow for deportations of repeat asylum applicants lacking new evidence, which activists argue contravenes the non-refoulement principle. Additionally, Japan’s Refugee Examination Counsellors (RECs) face scrutiny for alleged bias, with one REC reportedly handling over 20% of cases and questioning the validity of most asylum applications. Critics suggest that Japan’s limited refugee admissions, despite new protections, reflect ongoing reluctance to expand refugee rights, even as asylum applications surge amid global conflicts.
Tags: Long Term Resident,Complementary Protection

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