Refugee Status
Japan Immigration
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About "Refugee Status"
Japan’s refugee recognition system is based on the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol, with the aim of providing protection and asylum to refugees. The legal framework is set out in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, under which applications for refugee status are received and examined by the Immigration Services Agency. Those who are recognized are granted the “Refugee” residence status, which allows them rights similar to those of Japanese nationals, including the ability to work and access to social security.
However, a distinctive feature of Japan’s system is its extremely low refugee recognition rate compared with international standards. While the number of applications has increased in recent years, the number of recognized refugees usually remains only several dozen per year, and the examination process can take a long time. As a result, restrictions on living conditions and employment during the application period, as well as treatment in detention facilities, have often been criticized internationally. At the same time, Japan makes use of a system of “Special Permission to Stay on Humanitarian Grounds” for individuals who do not meet the strict definition of a refugee under the Convention but are deemed in need of protection.
In recent years, reforms have been introduced to enhance transparency and speed in the process. These include efforts to accelerate examinations and to reduce abusive or unfounded applications. The challenge lies in balancing the protection of those who truly need asylum with the sustainability of the system. In this sense, Japan’s refugee recognition system is characterized by strict application of the international definition, a consistently low recognition rate, and the use of humanitarian stay permits as a complementary measure.