Japan's decision on Myanmar refugees sends message

By Nehginpao Kipgen

Japan’s humanitarian decision on Dec 18 to accept refugees from the military-ruled Myanmar has significantly changed Asia’s image. The move, which is unprecedented in the history of Japan, conveys a message to the international community that there is a country in Asia which opens its doors to asylum seekers and refugees.

Japan’s policy toward Myanmar has traditionally been engagement. This principle was stated in uncertain terms by the then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in January 1997 as: “Japan does not feel international isolation is the optimal way for the improvement of domestic situation in Myanmar.”

Hashimoto also added that: “Japan thinks it important to give Myanmar incentives to behave in line with international norms by drawing it out as a member of the international community. Japan also thinks that ASEAN membership should not provide a smokescreen for oppression in Myanmar.”

Its engagement policy toward the Myanmar military regime fundamentally differentiates Japan from many of her Western allies, most notably the United States’ isolationist policy. These conflicting approaches have not helped both the economic giants to achieve their desired goals, but have instead prolonged the military rule.

Japan’s initial hope for ASEAN leadership to address the situation in Myanmar has also turned out to be fruitless. Despite Japan’s years of engagement policy, the oppression in Myanmar continues unabated. The recent arrests and the long-term prison sentences to peaceful protesters was an indication of a failed strategy.

It is, however, intriguing to see that Japan simultaneously opens lines of communication with both the military regime and the pro-democracy opposition groups. Like many other nations, Japan has also endorsed the role of the United Nations secretary general’s good offices.

With the political stalemate continuing to plague Myanmar, Japan’s policy has seemingly vacillated in recent months. Japan’s biggest Western ally, the United States, has also theoretically shifted its policy. The U.S. Congress created a post for policy chief for Myanmar to increase pressure on the junta; the White House nominated Michael Green for the position on Nov 10.

A noticeable strained bilateral relationship between Japan and Myanmar was witnessed in the aftermath of the 2007 uprising, which was popularly coined by many as a “saffron revolution.” Japanese photojournalist Kenji Nagai was shot and killed by the Myanmar military in broad-daylight while covering the demonstration.

The troubling issue surfaced again in the Jan 17 2008 meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Kumara and his Myanmar counterpart Nyman Win. Japan expressed its displeasure in a statement: “The Japanese side has not been convinced yet by the account given by the Myanmar police.”

If this major humanitarian policy gets implemented, the Japanese government will accept about 30 Myanmar refugees from Thailand starting 2010. This development not only surprises the international community, but also gives a new hope to the Myanmar democratic movement.

This bold decision will make Japan the first country in the region to launch such an initiative. Not only was the move welcome by the Myanmar democratic movement, but also by the chief of United Nations humanitarian agency. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said, “I am glad that Japan is starting with a small program. As such, I am confident that the pilot project will develop and expand into a regular and large program.”

Japan’s decision has broken the traditionally held perception that refugees are resettled only in Western countries. This sets a good example for many other Asian nations. As long as no democratic society, which equally treats all ethnic nationalities, can be established in Myanmar, there will be more refugees.

Considering its status as an economic giant of Asia and the historical relationship the two countries had during Myanmar’s independence struggle, Japan’s involvement in that country’s democratic transition is essential.

In the absence of a coordinated international approach, the military junta will continue to have the upper hands in suppressing the aspirations of the Myanmar people. Both engagement and sanction imposing groups must come together to find amicable solution to decades-old Burma’s problems.

It is high time for the international community to realize that neither engagement nor sanction alone, without a coordinated action, is effective enough to bring change in Myanmar.

Nehginpao Kipgen is the general secretary of U.S.-based Kuki International Forum (www.kukiforum.com) and a researcher on the rise of political conflicts in modern Myanmar (1947-2004).

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10 Comments

Statistician at 12:04 PM JST - 29th December

Do you know, I've read this article four times and I'm still not sure what it is about.

Taking 30 refugees in a year's time if certain conditions are met is hardly a big deal. The situation requires perhaps a thousandfold increase in commitment. We take many more asylum seekers than that in the UK every day.
apecNetworks at 01:48 PM JST - 29th December

It seems pretty transparent to me, as well as others familiar to geopolitics. It's US Foreign Policy towards the Indian Ocean, and Japan is involved. Japan does have problems absorbing refugees, but they will attempt to ramp things up as things heat up. I would think all major powers are quite aware of this plan.
as_the_crow_flies at 11:13 PM JST - 29th December

I was under the impression that Japan already accepted asylum seekers from Myanmar, but whoever wrote this seems to suggest its a first.

Unprecedented in Asia? As far as I know, when the US withdrew from Vietnam, there was a massive flow of refugees, who ended up all over the world, though I think Japan's participation in granting them asylum was likely pitiful. Don't have any figures to support that, though. Reading between the lines of what The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said, well he probably means that any increase in granting asylum on the part of Japan is a good start, and we hope they get up to speed before too long, considering their pitiful contribution so far. A poster from the UK to put Japan's policy in perspective by comparing it with the UK. The number of applicants actually granted asylum in the UK in 2002 was around 100,000 requests, just over 75,000 of whom were granted asylum. That's a 75% acceptance rate. Japan's response is somewhat more ketchi, meaning a lot of asylum seekers are in limbo, and in poverty because they're neither allowed to work,　or receive any funding while their application is being reviewed, which here takes an average of 6 months. Imagine being turned down, imprisoned and deported after that. The nearest year I have figures for is 2003, when they had 70 asylum applications. Policy on accepting refugees is generally measured in relation to a country's population, as a fair way of comparing different countries' offers. So again, using the UK as a point of comparison (and it's by no means the "top" country in terms of accepting refugees, I just happen to have figures for it) the UK , population around 60m, in 2002 had 1 asylum application per 7,968 of population, while Japan, population then 127m, had 1 application per 535,800 of population.
neverknow2 at 12:18 AM JST - 30th December

The move, which is unprecedented in the history of Japan

Big deal. The rest of the world has been looking after the poor, sick, persecuted for eternity. About time these pre-historic sheep jumped on the band wagon.
Good_Jorb at 12:32 AM JST - 30th December

Big deal. The rest of the world has been looking after the poor, sick, persecuted for eternity. About time these pre-historic sheep jumped on the band wagon.

They could have just paid some else to take them, like the only other country in region that is even close dealing with refugees does. How many refugees has China or Korea taken(A large portion of the rest of world)? The big deal is someone in the Asian region is finally taking refugees.
LIBERTAS at 02:30 AM JST - 30th December

Using the words "humanitarian" and "decision" relating to "Japan" in the same sentence has me reeling in shock. A little compassion for its abused children, elderly and workforce might be in order first, before importing people it is ill prepared to help, on any level!
itcher74 at 06:10 AM JST - 30th December

30 Burmse to Japan would be a big revolution. Japan as we know it would come to an end. The next is maybe 2 from Iraq in 2020. Slowly, Japan is opening it´s borders and becoming a part of the world community. Japan should take Osama bin Laden´s son as an Asylumn Seker and make bin Laden a TV tarento. He could be one of the philosophical taerentos but I guess in Japan they want comedians first. Could make bin Laden´s son into a comedian.
solss at 12:38 AM JST - 31st December

Japan needs workforce, but I wonder if it is taking it from the right place.
realist at 12:22 PM JST - 1st January

Im glad Japan has decided to accept refugees from BURMA. I would also like to hear the Japanese Government calling for the removal of the illegal and evil Burmese military regime.
Athletes at 06:32 PM JST - 4th January

Solss

Uncomfortable truth is Myanmar refugee are just burden for any nations. Mostly they have no marketable skills or experience. They are more suitable for settling in english speaking nations. How on earth you are expecting Japan needs unskilled workforce. Everday thousands of Japanese workers are laying off now. Japan needs more natural gas from Myanmar instead of labours.

Realist

Japan is not a master of Burma. Japan even did not get the compensation for Japanese journalist death from last year. If he did not go there, he will be still alive. Burma need to solve their own political problem.