Japan unveils first-ever guidelines on refugee status recognition amid global criticism
- The guide for immigration officials outlines fear of persecution cases such as sexual minorities who are targeted or women who could face genital mutilation
- In 2021, Japan gave refugee status to 74 people, far fewer than in European countries and the US, where more than 10,000 refugees are taken in annually
Japan on Friday unveiled its guidelines on refugee recognition for the first time after growing calls at home and abroad for greater transparency and amid mounting criticism over its history of accepting far fewer refugees compared to Western countries.
Among the notable cases cited in the handbook for immigration officials is the possibility of granting refugee status if applicants are deemed at risk of persecution at home for identifying as a sexual minority.
The handbook, compiled by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, however, “does not expand the scope of recognition” already in use by immigration authorities and is also not meant to “increase the number of people granted refugee status”, Justice Minister Ken Saito told a press conference.
But he said he expects that the enunciation of the agency guidelines will see applications get organised more appropriately. “It is possible that there will be an increase in cases of swiftly granting refugee status,” Saito said.
In 2021, Japan gave refugee status to 74 people, a record high since it started granting such status in 1982. But the number is far fewer than in European countries and the United States, where over 10,000 refugees are taken in annually.
The handbook, to be used to decide whether refugee status criteria are met, was compiled based on precedents and court judgments as well as documents by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and guidelines in other countries.
