Japan to introduce 3rd-country refugee resettlement program

Friday 22nd August, 04:02 PM JST

TOKYO —

Japan will introduce the so-called third-country refugee resettlement program as early as fiscal 2010 as the first Asian country to do so in a bid to accept more foreign refugees, government sources said Thursday. Under the program, Japan will accept refugees who flee their conflict-stricken home countries to nearby states but find it hard to resettle in either of those nations. Myanmar refugees who live in Thailand after fleeing from the junta’s human rights suppression and Bhutanese refugees taking shelter in Nepal will be covered by the envisaged program, the sources said. The number of refugees to be accepted will be limited to less than 100 annually, although Tokyo apparently aims to fend off criticism that it is reluctant for refugee relief through the introduction.

In 2007, 14 countries accepted a total of 75,000 refugees under the third-country refugee resettlement program. Of them, the United States accepted 48,000 refugees and Canada 11,000. Eleven ministries in Japan, including foreign and justice ministries, started unofficial joint studies in the fall last year on the program, and they will soon look into the size and selection criteria for refugee acceptance as well as preparations for facilities to introduce it. Japan’s current refugee recognition system, which is based on the immigration control and refugee recognition law, covers only those who are already in Japan. The number of foreigners Japan recognized as refugees between 1981, when it joined the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and 2007 came to only 451. While the government has toughened its criteria for refugee recognition partly to prevent an inflow of illegal entrants seeking employment, some people within the government still say expansion of refugee acceptance will hurt domestic security.

Kyodo

Latest 15 of 60 Total Comments Show All

AlliedForces at 10:20 AM JST - 23rd August

romulus3; morning Japanophile san.

learn to read properly. I asked Japan to comply with international conventions it has signed regarding anti discrimination.

I do not complain about Japanese culture or society.

FYI, i was asked to come here initially by the Japanese government, so get your facts right pal.

I dont ask Japan to change, cant you read Roman letters anymore?

I only ask them to follow an international law they have signed for, is that simple enough for you to understand?

If you don`t believe in equality for all, then you are prejudiced and probably a racist.
AlliedForces at 10:25 AM JST - 23rd August

Japan has to establish laws to protect foreigners from abuse because of their nationality.

Some people here seem to think that equality is a dirty word. Maybe Japan should set up slums for foreigners and monitor them 24/7, after all it is their country isn`t it.

Romulus3 and other Japan apologists/lovers etc, there are international laws signed for by your beloved Japan, that they do not keep, thus they are acting criminally towards foreigners.

BTW, Japan cannot deport me or ask me to leave, learn international law a bit better, instead of praising your beloved new home.
AlliedForces at 12:23 PM JST - 23rd August

Rodney King;

Another person who does not get the gist of my posts. The fact whether i can be stated or not, is nothing to do with international law. Read my posts properly before criticising and mocking, you fool!!

I stated clearly that under international law, that Japan has agreed to abide by, there will be laws against racilism. Japan has not made thesde laws, so it is behaving criminally. No wonder it can`t get into the security council.
AlliedForces at 12:34 PM JST - 23rd August

The Japanese need to allow refugees into their country and fullfill their obligations to the UN. Diversity widens varity. The more foreigners, the better.
AlliedForces at 12:49 PM JST - 23rd August

Japan must accept and treat fairly, society will improve, and life will be better for all.
romulus3 at 12:49 PM JST - 23rd August

AlliedForces,

and please tell us how Japan has violated your human rights? Japan does not have to give in to UN demands and it does not have to listen to your ravings lunacies. No country has too allow such a large number of refugees if it does it want to.
AlliedForces at 12:54 PM JST - 23rd August

Japan has signed up with the UN to protect everyone , including foreigners from racial discrimination. A good thing to do, only they haven`t complied and put laws into effect.

Japan has also agreed to allow refugees into the country, in the same manner as most other developed countries.

It seems it does want to do these things to impress foreigners, but does not implement them. Did you see the UN report on racilism in Japan, not pretty reading for anyone who cares about others.
caribjustice at 12:54 PM JST - 23rd August

Violation of "law" means punishment. These positions that you are stating are law cannot be taken to international court. So its not a matter of law.

About slums for foreigners, if they elect to do that that is their right as elected officials with the majorities consent. You have to decide if you want to continue to live in a country that would do that.

In the quest for equal treatment in a culture that is not yours, and that you have chosen to live in, who are you to question what the majority of their culture has deemed as being a norm?

I fail to understand a presumption of entitlement about what a culture that is not yours should and should not do.

Don't go down the slope of lumping people into categories as "lovers/apologists". In other words, you don't like when people on the site lump you into a "all gaijin do bad things category" but you are doing exactly what others have done to you. You said earlier that you are married to a Japanese. I am sure that she loves her country but may disagree with its policies at times. Some Japanese people agree with the immigration policy while others don't. Guess what? In the U.S. its the same thing.
AlliedForces at 01:02 PM JST - 23rd August

caribjustice; Ok this is my last post on this, you obviously ignore the main point.

Japan agredd with the UN to inact anti racism laws. They have failed to do so, and are breaking their promise.Japanese culture does not belong to any specific person or people, in the same way US culture does not. It is not a possesion.

Japanese law guarantees equality, but the law is not enforced, thus the authorities are breaking their own laws. The eleceted diet made these laws, so it is the will of the people, not me. OK not me, the will of the Japanese.

There are many sites that can help you understand why Japan is in the wrong re this matter, try debito and Japan amnesty, also Un report re Japan and discrimination.

Please understand Japan made promises to protect everyone, and treat them equally. People such as myself, just want them to honor their promise.
AlliedForces at 01:09 PM JST - 23rd August

Rodney King;

I am in no way defending the US in the way black people were treated in Louisiana.

If you read my post history, you will see i abhor all forms of discrimination, and i am ashamed at the recent past in the US where segregation was practised.

I have defended foreigners and minorities in both my countries, UK and US.

Where i see injustice due to race or color i protest, i am not anti Japan, as many believe, just anti much of what the Japanese govt does.

I hope one day Japanese will stand up for foreigners and minorities and make the country more just for everyone. At the end of the day, we are all human.
caribjustice at 01:25 PM JST - 23rd August

AlliedForces, even your comments back belie the facts. "Japanese culture does not belong to any specific person or people, in the same way US culture does not. It is not a possesion." Japanese culture doesn't belong to the Japanese? The unique mixture of Shinto and Buddism, the humble, polite and formal forms of language, the pressure to conform to collectivism norms. All these inclusive and more, much more make up aspects of Japanese culture. Ask the average Japanese if their culture belongs to "everybody"? This does not mean that every Japanese adopts or even believes in ALL aspects of their culture but it is uniquely Japanese.

About U.S.　culture. U.S. culture is impacted by more diverse groups and changes rapidly because of the influx of other cultures into mainstream society. Strong christian beliefs, questioning of authority, seeking of the ideal and the can do spirit are to me, inclusively, with many more beliefs American values. Again this doesn't mean every American adopts or believes in these cultural aspects but it is American. The American culture is an amalgam of other cultures. This is less true in Japan because of the lacking influx of other cultures.

That is problematic that Japanese law states one thing but not being enforced. This problem, however is not unique to Japan. Ever try calling the cops in a poor neighborhood in the U.S.. The response times are not as quick as in a wealthy one.

So the goal is for Japan to uphold what they have promised to immigrants and not necessarily the number of immigrants coming in. Finding more like minded Japanese and immigrants to have the laws changed is your best option.
AlliedForces at 01:31 PM JST - 23rd August

caribjustice;

Everywhere should be enforcing laws that protect fellow humans, including other western nations. If Japanese were made aware that, yes foreigners are different, but are the same regarding emotions and feelings etc, Japanese would be more understanding. The media provide too much negative news about foreign crime, terrorist threat etc, but doesn`t convey any of the positives of foreign residents. I will continue to protest whether i reside in the UK, US or Japan to the authorities when i see any forms of discrimination due to race or religion. Maybe it is an obsession, but i believe in it. Well i have to leave the discussion now, for some family time.
caribjustice at 01:34 PM JST - 23rd August

AlliedForces, I was trying to find a way to send you a message privately but anyway. I've been reading posts on Japan today for a while and just decided to post today for the first time. I see a lot of folks goading others into ridiculous arguments and personal attacks. I do see value in what you are saying, believe me that I do.
sarcasm123 at 11:26 AM JST - 25th August

"Another one of those Japanese myths, have you ever been to Japan?"

Heh, I drove from Tokyo to Karuizawa last week. Needless to say I was surounded by mountains pretty much all the time. Karuizawa is a bad example? Take any other place outside of the Tokyo area: mountains, mountains and mountains, covered with forests, forests and forests. Is THAT where you will put these people?

"There are masses of free flat land in Hokkaido. There are more than 2,000 islands with a handful of people living on them. The rural areas on Honshu are crying out for able bodied people."

Now, this one is really funny!! You plan to put these people of those little islands?? Let's be honest, mate: the moment Japan dares to put these people on those little islands you will be here screaming racism!
Badtz_Proper at 08:58 PM JST - 25th August

The Japanese need to allow refugees into their country and fullfill their obligations to the UN. Diversity widens varity. The more foreigners, the better.

Do explain to me how diversity will improve this country. Do you honestly believe that accepting people from impoverished crime ridden societies is beneficial?