Japan took in 28 refugees in 2016, despite record applications

28 is a lot for Japan.

feel ashamed of being japanese when i hear such news.

I am quite happy to learn about the perils of poorly planned immigration (aka europe) from afar thank you very much. Japan is not a good country to immigrate to as you won't be treated well, or have the tools to be a success later on.

Their country their rules, hasn't turned out well for other countries so no harm in being strict on the subject. Singapore has a similar stance (I think)

28? Well, that will embolden those who think of Japan as the model for how their own country should be. There are plenty of those. Japan has no idea how it is a model for the xenophobes of the world. Or those who use cultural relativism as an excuse for their own mean spiritedness.

Disgraceful!

Immigration is a controversial subject in Japan, where many pride themselves on cultural and ethnic homogeneity, even as the population ages and its workforce shrinks.

And let's not forget to add a country full of people who don't know their own history that shows that countless numbers of these "ethnic" "homogeneous" Japanese have the blood of Korean, Chinese and Mongolian ancestors running through their veins!

Well done Japan. Sensible.

Japan has no idea how it is a model for the xenophobes of the world. Or those who use cultural relativism as an excuse for their own mean spiritedness.

Quite.

Well done Japan. Sensible.

And there you are.

@Moonraker

Labeling Japan a champion for xenophobia is correct only up to a certain point. Negativity labeling an entire nation or people (such as liberals v conservatives) is also something that's common now but what you said isn't fact. People from white and western nations have been slaughtering and stealing whole countries and now that they feel sorry they say immigration from those they wronged is a right. Just because you grew up in that doesn't mean other countries also need to feel that way. There are many benefits in having a calm peaceful nation. Japan doesn't need to spend time and money thinking how to house the world, it needs to address its own house.

People from white and western nations have been slaughtering and stealing whole countries and now that they feel sorry they say immigration from those they wronged is a right.

And Japan didn't? The only difference seems to be that Japan doesn't feel at all sorry. It must be to do with the culture, eh?

I understand refugees escaping countries in the Middle East, which have been torn apart by the US instigated wars there, but most coming from Nepal, the Philippines, and Turkey?

Good on Japan, envy them.

heartless :'(

@Moonraker

Well I'm from Japan and it feel sorry for things done wrong even though it wasn't by me. Again, why don't you stop labeling entire nations, such as, "Japan isn't sorry!" Who exactly are you referring to? Nobody speaks for everybody, isn't it against liberalism to state that kinda stuff?

Luckily they don`t have a huge illegal problem.

A national shame.

Leave Japan alone. Liberalism, whether you give it a philosophical or economic meaning is foreign to all of Asia. Japan, China and Korea, North & South, have their own collective karma to work out over the coming decades.

Between January and September last year, Japan was the fourth largest donor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, contributing $165 billion. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in September also pledged $2.8 billion to help tackle the global refugee crisis over three years from 2016.

Japan's policy is "we give you money, but don't come as permanent resident."

Wow even Australia re settled more than that .

gokai_wo_maneku

I understand refugees escaping countries in the Middle East, which have been torn apart by the US instigated wars there, but most coming from Nepal, the Philippines, and Turkey?

It's because a huge number of people who arrive here and cannot get a visa apply for refugee status (no matter where they are from). They do this because they have a slightly better chance of getting a temporary visa, which they use to live in Japan indefinitely. These people don't care that real refugees get treated more harshly because of their actions, they just want a visa.

Asylum seekers from Indonesia topped the list of those arriving in Japan last year, followed by people from Nepal, the Philippines and Turkey.

other than Nepal, that had a major earthquake recently, none of people from these countries can claim to be refugees

I believe that Japan's 28 is more than the total accepted by the 6 Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE), who are much closer culturally, socially, and geographically to where the refugees come from. Very different to Lebanon and Jordan, which have taken in some 1.5 million Syrians so far.

Perhaps too many. It's an issue of sovereignty. If you think more should be admitted, then please house them yourself in your own home. If not, accept the government decisions.

Just a user; I gotta agree with you. Living in Japan for 35+ years and seeing all the problems in the states with immigration, I gotta agree with Japan's policies here. Imagine this now safe and peaceful Japan allowing 5,000 to 10,000 immigrates in the country per year. For those of you who do not live/have not lived in Japan, please refrain from posting to this article.

@Reckless

It's a non-zero number so they can't be said to not be following the conventions they signed on to, but they're meaningless in substance. Much like laws in Japan that affect Japan Inc

I would say support for immigration in Japan is less than it would have been previously due to the recent global backlash against immigration

JT is a funny place to be. At one article, people cheer for the strict immigration system that keeps Japan so safe and peaceful. At another one, people vilify the "xenophobe" japanese for not letting muslims in. Just as I thought. Most of the people here are just sheep that follow the line of thinking of the quickest posters.

If Japan wants to sell weapons abroad, then they have to take the consequences as wel.

Actually think they should be brutally frank about it, stop bs*itting the international community and asylum seekers themselves. Japan should no longer process/accept applications as it is a waste of taxpayers money considering they are turning down 99% of applicants anyway.

Otherwise, simply kick them out of the Refugee convention or whatever convention/treaty they have signed as they are clearly NOT taking it seriously.

At one article, people cheer for the strict immigration system that keeps Japan so safe and peaceful. At another one, people vilify the "xenophobe" japanese for not letting muslims in.

Different posters. We are not all of the same mindset on JT. Many differing opinions.

I'm glad PM Abe is keeping Japan safe! Japan should not draw attention to itself by criticizing other countries like happen last week over the US travel ban.

Human Rights Watch last month called Japan’s record on asylum seekers “abysmal,” urging it to accept more and strengthen protection for migrant workers.

They're right to call it that.

Still, refugee advocates and human rights organisations have criticised Japan’s reluctance to accept more refugees.

As well they should.

Their country their rules,

Fine. But the PM should refrain from getting up on the world stage and bleating that Japan shares the same values as the west, which he always does, because it doesn't.

in Japan, where many pride themselves on cultural and ethnic homogeneity,

I rest my case

hasn't turned out well for other countries so no harm in being strict on the subject

Please don't make blanket statements like this. By and large immigrants from all parts of the world have settled peacefully in the west. Take a look at Canada. Right there is a country which has proven that if the host nation makes an effort to include and integrate newcomers it works out very well. immigrants come with new ideas and new approaches to things. They work, pay taxes, and have children. They enrich the nation's cuisine and culture. The problem is that there are those who ONLY focus on the negatives of immigration while forgetting the positives. If you balanced them out, you would find that the postives outweigh the negatives.

It certainly is! When a sovereign nation signs treaties promising to do something it should follow through or be called out on it.

Agree 100%.

people cheer for the strict immigration system that keeps Japan so safe and peaceful

I've NEVER EVER done that.

And they criticize America's travel ban.

Ever been to Roppongi? Looks like more than 28.

this isnt necessarily a bad thing for japan. just take a look at what allowing large numbers of immigrants in has done for other countries. especially European countries. oftentimes immigrants form the hotbed for islamic fanaticism, something which japan has done a great job of keeping out. well done japan

this isnt necessarily a bad thing for japan. just take a look at what allowing large numbers of immigrants in has done for other countries. especially European countries. oftentimes immigrants form the hotbed for islamic fanaticism, something which japan has done a great job of keeping out. well done japan

This. I feel sorry for the European women. Now try to imagine what they would do to the naive japanese.

Why do these talks always focus in on the U.S? There are other nations in the world, with far better track records when it comes to contributing to the globe in a positive way.

Australia has accepted millions of immigrants over many years, and they have also accepted countless thousands of refugees. To date there have been no terrorist attacks in Australia. Some of the best people I have met were/are immigrants.

Japan is just a sore loser when it comes to anything requiring humanity. Japan should most definitely not be a part of the U.N.

Just a userFEB. 10, 2017 - 07:11AM JST Their country their rules, hasn't turned out well for other countries so no harm in being strict on the subject. Singapore has a similar stance (I think)

Wrong. Look at NZ, Australia, Canada - they have all seen their nations prosper dramatically due to the influx of immigrants (many of whom are refugees).

If you have an open and kind minded culture immigration can be a boon for a nation in many ways (socially, culturally, economically etc.).

this isnt necessarily a bad thing for japan. just take a look at what allowing large numbers of immigrants in has done for other countries. especially European countries. oftentimes immigrants form the hotbed for islamic fanaticism, something which japan has done a great job of keeping out. well done japan

Really?

Japan's Muslim population is around 70,000 which includes less than 10,000 of them as Japanese and the rest being foreigners

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Japan

Japan helps its neighbours, so here are these peoples? More than 50,000 Korean refugees came to Japan when in need. Assimilation is difficult for many refugees, dilution of culture is not worth the risk.

Dilution of culture? What's wrong with baseball, McDonalds and Starbucks in Japan? I'd doubt that building a mosque next to a shrine would be approved any faster (read: not at all) than a Christian church.

To be honest about it, I'd put my house on this being a pretty fair reflection of the views of the majority of the Japanese electorate.

@Reckless Good point.

There was an article in Japan Times a while back which posed the question, paraphrasing, why were Japanese less intellectually flexible than Westerners, in general? While I and most people admire the Japanese culture for its value of tradition and beautiful things, embracing more foreigners into the country would likely have the effect of opening up the Japanese mind-set. Due to your isolation, whether or not Japan decides to do this is up to the Japanese. I suspect you will choose to continue to pick and choose which attributes of foreign cultures you embrace, such as technology, while rejecting racial intermingling and cultural dilution. I do not condemn you for that, but it is not the society that I live in. I thoroughly enjoy the multi-culturalism we experience here in California. Within just a few miles I can see Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Arabs, Jews, Mexicans, Italians, Irish, and any number of other immigrants. I happen to think that this multi-cultural identity is what defines us, just as your homogeneity defines you.

"this isnt necessarily a bad thing for japan. just take a look at what allowing large numbers of immigrants in has done for other countries. especially European countries. oftentimes immigrants form the hotbed for islamic fanaticism, something which japan has done a great job of keeping out. well done japan"

"Really?"

Japanese people have read news about innocents slaughtered by military grade weapons, speeding trucks and bombs in Europe. These are facts. The perpetrators were fanatical Islamists.

Can people truthfully say these are not incidents worth worrying about?

Japan accepted just 28 refugees last year

...and had zero terror related incidents.

Japanese people have read news about innocents slaughtered by military grade weapons, speeding trucks and bombs in Europe. These are facts. The perpetrators were fanatical Islamists.

Can people truthfully say these are not incidents worth worrying about?

True. keep japan safe, no refugees please.

So is Japan actually really diverse?

Just don't tell them that, they will never believe you! Science doesnt lie!

http://www.wa-pedia.com/history/origins_japanese_people.shtml

There are other countries better suited to take in refugees. If Japan takes in too many refugees, then the country is going to start to look like every country in the West - big melting pot, ethnic food, blah, blah, blah.

There's a certain charm to having a country where the population is rather homogeneous. There's even a certain charm to their butchering of English to no end.

Besides, there are still refugees galore in Fukushima. Help them first.

Amazing how so many people made the leap of imagination and automatically went from "refugees" to "Muslims".

Pure and simple ignorance.

Japan, whether or not folks realize it or not, is one of the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to religion.

Japanese have a plethora of other problems but they do not have folks killing one another in the name of their religion.

Japan took in 28 refugees in 2016

Well it's not surprising then than Japan was totally silent about the Trum's ban for Muslim people and refugees.

Japan is apparently way worse than Trump.

Japanese people have read news about innocents slaughtered by military grade weapons, speeding trucks and bombs in Europe.

You can get killed that way by White Americans in the US. Maybe we shouldn't let them in either. The mosque in Quebec was shot up by a white rascist. Google how many people have been killed by white guys with guns. More than have been killed by muslims.

These are facts.

Want facts? More people die in the west from gun crazy yeehawdis than bomb weilding jihadis. THAT Is a fact. So maybe Japan should stop letting white westerners in, by your logic.

The perpetrators were fanatical Islamists.

far more perpetrators were fanatical white supremecists.

@dalto hak

I'm really confused, I thought Trumps ban was aimed at 7 countries, not the religion?

I'm glad Japan doesn't want to dilute their culture. Look at Swendstan. #2 in the world for rape with 55 no go zones! Last year, the number one most popular name for new borns was Mohammid.

ThunderbirdFEB. 10, 2017 - 10:42AM JST JT is a funny place to be. At one article, people cheer for the strict immigration system that keeps Japan so safe and peaceful. At another one, people vilify the "xenophobe" japanese for not letting muslims in. Just as I thought. Most of the people here are just sheep that follow the line of thinking of the quickest posters.

You are so right about this but the flaming liberals that left their own countries to live in Japan will never admit to what you said.

Japan actually took in 100% of all refugees who applied in 2016. The law says they are not allowed to turn any refugee away. They did the same in 2015 and will probably continue to do as long as they are signed up to the UN Convention.

However, if someone here has evidence that Japan is applying the convention incorrectly or is of the opinion that the law should be changed to lower the the bar in order to reclassify many more non-refugees as refugees, then I'd like to hear your point of view.

There are still refugees from Touhoku that need help. Help them first.

@Aly

Let's stick to the subject at hand. We are talking about Japan, not the US.

As I pointed out, I'm convinced the majority of the Japanese public don't want to accept large numbers of immigrants or refugees. This matters.

Also, there isn't a track record of white westerners, extreme Christians or white supremacists butchering scores of people in Japan. If this became common, you wouldn't blame people for being very concerned about these people. Many Japanese people now regard Europe as a dangerous place. I've had Japanese people ask me why Europe has chosen to threaten its security.

I'd also add that many blame radicalism on the failure of European societies to successfully integrate Muslims or the failure of Muslims to want to integrate ( I think the answer could be somewhere in the middle ). Do you think Japan, a country you've criticised for its treatment of foreigners, will be generally good at accepting large numbers of any outsiders and make them feel integrated?

I'll sharpen my original question. Do you think Japanese people have any grounds to be concerned?

Wrong. Look at NZ, Australia, Canada - they have all seen their nations prosper dramatically due to the influx of immigrants (many of whom are refugees).

Really. Look at their population size as well. Canada (36 mill) is a huge country, easy to spread out. Australia 25 mill. New Zealand, 4.5 mill. Compared to Japan with 126 mill. BIG difference.

Want facts? More people die in the west from gun crazy yeehawdis than bomb weilding jihadis. THAT Is a fact. So maybe Japan should stop letting white westerners in, by your logic.

wow! Thanks for that. Didn't know there were so many "white westerners" in Brazil, Columbia and Honduras where homicide deaths by guns is higher than the US.

I lived in Japan and know well the culture and Japanese. They just put themsleves a a country first altogether and wish to stay in control. It is not even about colour of skin, just the plain fact that a Nepali, a Turk or an Erytrean is not going to start magically to behave in the Japanese way. Japanese mind is a group mind, you are in or out. Either you follow all the general patterns (politeness, peace and calm stand, no commenting about others, respect of traditions, contribution to local society...) Or not. If you come with unknown customs and keep them alive, you will never ever be Japanese. Don't tell me you prefer multiculturism to peaceful country. I live in France now and hate to see what France has become culturally speaking, with ghettos all around and events from other countries or religions forced upon my ears or eyes. Do not judge for a group to take care of their own future where they live. I still think they could take more Koreans. Countries much closer than Japan for real refugees otherwise smells the pure greed of economical interest. Quality is better than quantity in a modern civilization.

Don't think Japan or J ppl are anti refugees per se, they are just against having too many non J in their country. We also have to take into consideration that J is already (imo too) densely populated so posters who conveniently talk refugees per inhabitant ratio and compare it to norway, oz or canada are imo intellectualy dishonest.

Having said that doesnt change the fact 27 or 28 are ridiculous numbers.

Now this is how "extreme vetting" should be done. Trump totally dropped the ball (in execution) and his famous two words has become a meme.

My home country is multi-cultural AND peaceful. Any strawman argument or attitude toward the potential of multiculturalism just halts social progress. But, for those who are in the 'you are a carbon copy of me, or you are not' group; pat yourselves on the back because by sewing your seeds of hate, you have helped push us all into something which, now, can no longer be repaired until a massive event brings about massive social change (think WWIII).

Let's stick to the subject at hand. We are talking about Japan, not the US.

As I pointed out, I'm convinced the majority of the Japanese public don't want to accept large numbers of immigrants or refugees. This matters.

Personally, I think it depends where you are in Japan. If you go to Aichi or Mie, they do. If I'm not mistaken, the city of Iga in Mie's residents are about 10%. And everyone gets along really well. I personally believe that

Also, there isn't a track record of white westerners, extreme Christians or white supremacists butchering scores of people in Japan.

Also, there isn't a track record of Arabs or muslims butchering scores of people in Japan either. And like I showed before, Japan has over 70,000 muslims living here already. That's pretty significant.

Many Japanese people now regard Europe as a dangerous place.

Many Japanese people now regard America as a dangerous place too. And they do not cite Islam. They cite gun violence.

I've had Japanese people ask me why Europe has chosen to threaten its security.

You can say the same thing about the US and its lack of gun control

I'd also add that many blame radicalism on the failure of European societies to successfully integrate Muslims or the failure of Muslims to want to integrate ( I think the answer could be somewhere in the middle ).

I can respect and agree to that.

Do you think Japan, a country you've criticised for its treatment of foreigners, will be generally good at accepting large numbers of any outsiders and make them feel integrated?

No. I don't. But I do think that by and large, Muslims feel less persecuted in Japan than in either Europe or the US. Japan's problem is its treatment of foreigners in general. But as far as singling out a certain group and persecuting them, particularly muslims, I have to say that Japan's record is MUCH better than Europe's or the US's. Persecution wise.

I'll sharpen my original question. Do you think Japanese people have any grounds to be concerned?

about radical islam? well, I'll sharpen my first response- we have about 70,000 muslims living in Japan. That's a pretty decent number. We haven't had ANY trouble whatsoever. So based on that fact, I'd say no. With proper vetting and inclusion and integration, we have very little to worry about if Japan wanted to take in more refugees.

Wrong. Look at NZ, Australia, Canada - they have all seen their nations prosper dramatically due to the influx of immigrants (many of whom are refugees).

Only 3 places you can name? Didn't mention Europe?. Whatever you and the sheep on here say it does not matter. Japan has the right to make their own rules, it is no-one else business.

wow! Thanks for that. Didn't know there were so many "white westerners" in Brazil, Columbia and Honduras where homicide deaths by guns is higher than the US.

What does THAT have to do with anything? We are talking about refugees. Unless you think that refugees now are to blame for the gun violence in SA as well??

We also have to take into consideration that J is already (imo too) densely populated so posters who conveniently talk refugees per inhabitant ratio and compare it to norway, oz or canada are imo intellectualy dishonest.

mate, do us a favor and get out of Tokyo for a bit. Japan is not over populated at all. Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya are, but the rest of Japan is in fact EMPTY.

NewsonJapan did an article a few years ago on empty homes in Japan. 10 million homes empty. 10 million. Japan is not crowded.

we have about 70,000 muslims living in Japan. That's a pretty decent number. We haven't had ANY trouble whatsoever... With proper vetting and inclusion and integration, we have very little to worry about if Japan wanted to take in more refugees

Whatsoever? You do remember this right?

https://youtu.be/i1tKrVVg8hg

"Don't tell me you prefer multiculturism to peaceful country. I live in France now and hate to see what France has become culturally speaking, with ghettos all around and events from other countries or religions forced upon my ears and eyes. Quality is better than quantity in a modern civilization"

@johnathan, you're not the first one to say/write this. Imo foreigners who make such comments don't really 'get' france or only part of it. So many ppl think Alain Delon, Sartre, Rousseau etc when they hear 'france' and forget (or dunno) tthat thousands of famous french ppl are of foreign descent from Napoleon to Platini, Adjani, Satkozy, Cohn Bendit etc.

Will always remember that in the 80s, when Le Pen had his first double digit score at an election, some historians and intellectuals said that only 25% of the french population were 'pure french' and that in fact the concept itself didnt really make any/much sense. As you can see we arent exactly all blue-eyed/blond-haired, the saracens invaded france in the 8th century and our borders have also changed with time. Pizza, couscous or paella have imo become french dishes and all french mums/dads know how to cook it.

Re 'quality over quantity' I dont necessarily disagree with you but think quality can come and do come from abroad (oz, canada and also many euro countries including france have benefited from immigration). Let's not forget france has forever been chaotic and didnt need the help of 'foreign terrorists' to behead their king or more recently (80s) kill politicians, bizmen etc we didnt like. (Leftists/anarchists from Action directe, corsicans via the flnc or even the basques were as french as it gets).

Many Japanese people now regard America as a dangerous place too. And they do not cite Islam. They cite gun violence.

Fake news. The Japanese visiting the US are not going to Englewood in Chicago, one of the worst areas in the US for gun violence. A lot of other major cities have a lot of gun violence but it's concentrated in black neighborhoods. So what's your agenda here always talking about "white westerners?" If whites were in the minority in the US your comment would be labeled offensive/vulgar and racist.

Many Japanese now regard Europe with its Islamists as dangerous.

Thanks to NHK which wants to terrify the public to justify its closed door policy

Japan actually took in 100% of all refugees who applied in 2016. The law says they are not allowed to turn any refugee away. They did the same in 2015 and will probably continue to do as long as they are signed up to the UN Convention.

So you are saying the article is factually wrong?

Japan accepted just 28 refugees last year when a record number applied for asylum, a government document dated for release on Friday showed, throwing a spotlight on the nation’s reluctance to accept foreigners. In 2016, 10,901 people sought asylum in Japan, up 44% from a year earlier, when the country accepted

a quick look at da state europe is inand where Oz is headed will tell you that immigration from certain countries is an awful idea. employment is hard to find and resentment grows into fanaticism. japan hasnt been ruined by immigration yet, lets keep it that way. well done Abe!

M3M3M3 we have about 70,000 muslims living in Japan. That's a pretty decent number. We haven't had ANY trouble whatsoever... With proper vetting and inclusion and integration, we have very little to worry about if Japan wanted to take in more refugees Whatsoever? You do remember this right? https://youtu.be/i1tKrVVg8hg

I've seen MUCH Worse from the Uyoku Dantai

"Many Japanese now regard Europe with its Islamists as dangerous."

"Thanks to NHK which wants to terrify the public to justify its closed door policy"

Hundreds killed by assault weapons, speeding trucks and explosives is pretty terrifying, not to mention utterly revolting. I'm no fan of NHK but I do think these news stories deserve dissemination.

Hundreds killed by assault weapons, speeding trucks and explosives is pretty terrifying, not to mention utterly revolting. I'm no fan of NHK but I do think these news stories deserve dissemination.

Hundreds of people get killed around the world for different reasons. Why pic on religion?

"Hundreds killed by assault weapons, speeding trucks and explosives is pretty terrifying, not to mention utterly revolting. I'm no fan of NHK but I do think these news stories deserve dissemination."

"Hundreds of people get killed around the world for different reasons. Why pic on religion?"

We are talking about terrorism in Europe here. Are you saying NHK shouldn't report the fact that hundreds of people were slaughtered by religious fanatics in Europe, a place many Japanese people like to visit?

Picking on religion? Have there been any other political/religious fanatics committing mass slaughter in Europe on this scale?

All readers, stay on topic please. Posts that do not focus on what is in the story will be removed. Furthermore, bickering will not be permitted.

We are talking about terrorism in Europe here. Are you saying NHK shouldn't report the fact that hundreds of people were slaughtered by religious fanatics in Europe, a place many Japanese people like to visit? Picking on religion? Have there been any other political/religious fanatics committing mass slaughter in Europe on this scale?

Have there been any refugees from Syria who have committed acts of terror? I don't think so. Therefore Japan's 28 refugee number is too low by western standards. Japan should welcome more refugees, carefully vet them, help them assimilate and let them in. They can be an asset here. What happened in Europe is due to a flood of refugees. Not the same thing as carefully bringing them here and allowing them to be a part of society.

@Yubaru

28 people were granted refugee status. And 28 were admitted into Japan. So yes, 100% of refugees have been admitted in Japan. Regarding the others... you know for sure they were genuine refugees? i honestly don't know. In my country, just last year, about 200.000 african immigrant came. 85% of them didn't get any refugee status, they were simply economic migrants.

It saddens me to see the same confusion here, articles and comments alike, about refugees and immigrants. They are not the same and suggesting that they are, is offencive to both groups.

European media switches the label consistently to the one that suits the story at hand, and it is just revolting to see from otherwise reputable sources.

As for Japan, all I say is that learn from the mistakes of others. Whatever you decide to do as a nation, atleast you should copy approaches taken in Europe. Only the most fanatical and irrational would dare call it a success.

The reasons given, for not accepting refugees is based upon a bullshit belief about a homogeneous, ethnocentric, society being brainwashed into thinking they are all alike and any "foreign" inclusion would destroy the society.

The government would rather spend money "in" the countries that have refugees than use it on helping them here. Part of the problem is a potential political hot potato as well. There would be an outcry from the general public if the government started using money to assist refugees to settle here and complaints would arise about the government not helping their own first. (They dont anyway but the bubble/cocoon that folks live in here dont think so, yet)

28 people were granted refugee status. And 28 were admitted into Japan. So yes, 100% of refugees have been admitted in Japan.

Is this your idea of new math? 10,901 applied and only 28 were granted status, and that equals 100%.

Right...please pass the splint! lol!

@Yubaru

The term 'refugee' is a legal one with a fairly clear definition. Only 28 people were able to discharge the burden of proving that they have a well founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion. All 28 were granted refugee status and all 28 are now allowed to stay in Japan. That's 100%. Those who were rejected are no different from you or I or any other non-refugee who requests a visa to live in Japan.

Out of the thousands of rejected applications, why doesn't amnesty international or other groups find a few hundred (or thousand?) clear cut cases where people who should have been granted refugee status were refused? They like to complain about the numbers being so low but they rarely give compelling evidence to show that the numbers should be higher.

Every asylum seeker bears the burden of proving their entitlement to refugee status but the reality is that many western countries end up giving asylum seekers the benefit of the doubt. This is usually because it's cheaper and easier to meet the country's regular immigration intake needs with people who are already in front of you rather than processing expensive appeals, detentions and deportations, and then processing another set of immigration applications from people who might be coming from the exact same countries. These practical and economic concerns have little effect on the way low-immigration countries like Japan enforce the convention. They enforce it in the way it was originally meant to be enforced, very strictly.

@Aly

Of course the Uyoku aren't model citizens, but it's a bit of a moot point since they are Japanese. Behaving badly without the risk of being deported or refused entry is a privilege of citizenship.

Last year, the number one most popular name for new borns was Mohammid.

Do you have a source for that ?

Yubaru

10.901 applied. Doesn't mean they are automatically refugees.

Has that Rakuten CEO commented on this?

Good job Japan. Keep it up. In USA I know personally of an area where about 100 students from a third world country live. After caught throwing trash, chicken bones, etc. all over, their reply was, "This is what we do in _____." Their country. Sick. Hey, all you from wherever you're from, ACT DECENT WHEN YOU COME TO A DECENT ACTING COUNTRY!!! Yes, that'd be shouting. You're the ones who MUST change!! Don't come bringing the very low culture that made you third world!! Be clean, respectful, kind, clean, quiet, learn, clean. Did I say be clean? Don't litter?! Otherwise WE DO NOT WANT YOU. Done.

Japan will have Moore people shortage rapidly. More than a half million youngsters applied for colleges. Let them go college. Don't call people who want collie to Japan as refugees or immigrants. Just call them Japan loves. Then get jobs for them. Japanese are really descendants of mixture of Asians. That is why there are many stories that so and so's ancestor came down from sky. Maybe Gypsies created Circus inn Japan? Let all Japan kids go to college. Put a half million as maximum. There are marriage and baby shortage now. Japanese need more workers or 80 years old people will be forced to work. Abe is meeting with Trump and he will be back with new understanding of Trump.

Can people truthfully say these are not incidents worth worrying about?

Yes, I can. These incidents make up a drop in the bucket of the total death count of the nation's population when you include all causes of death combined. The truth of the matter is Alcohol is far more lethal to society than acts of terrorism and as such people should worry far more about the impacts of Alcohol on society than terrorism.

28 refugees. Pathetic.

Will somebody please explain why Japan should be obligated to "take in refugees"?

Of course the Uyoku aren't model citizens, but it's a bit of a moot point since they are Japanese. Behaving badly without the risk of being deported or refused entry is a privilege of citizenship.

But you still can't complain about foreigners' behavior when the japanese behave much worse/.

Dont' make me wrong: I think multiculturism is good; if it goes against peace or customs assets, it gets wrong.

I still have no way to see how people from further country than neighbouring ones can claim to reach a rich country and telling you right in the eyes that they fled because of life threats. Economic greed would be the coherent and honest answer in 99,999% of the cases.