To those who are considering traveling to Japan to apply for refugee status
The JELA Foundation has been supporting refugees in Japan since 1984. We offer free shelter, Japanese language education opportunities, and scholarships for higher education to individuals who have sought refuge in Japan to escape persecution in their countries of origin.
Living in Japan as an asylum seeker is far from easy. In recent years, with the number of applications for refugee status in Japan rapidly rising, more and more refugee applicants are encountering extreme difficulties in their daily lives. We are concerned that this is primarily due to a lack of accurate information about the realities of applying for refugee status in Japan and living as a refugee applicant.
If you are contemplating traveling to Japan to apply for refugee status, we strongly recommend that you read and understand the following considerations to make fully informed decisions.
You Need Sound Reasons for Seeking Asylum
Are you absolutely certain that your reasons for seeking asylum align with the criteria outlined in the 1951 Refugee Convention? (*1) It’s important to note that the Japanese government basically does NOT grant asylum to applicants who fail to show that they meet the Convention’s definition of a refugee. (*2) Before planning your trip to Japan, ensure that your reasons for leaving your country of origin align with the Convention’s criteria.
Additionally, before departing your country of origin, ensure you gather as many documents and materials as possible that can support the credibility of your asylum claim. It will be your responsibility to demonstrate to the Japanese government that you qualify as a refugee.
(*1) The Refugee Convention defines a refugee as someone who “owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of [their] nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail [themself] of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of [their] former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.” (Reference: UNHCR website)
(*2) For refugee applicants who are from regions experiencing a significant armed conflict (i.e., war) but do not meet the Refugee Convention’s criteria, the Japanese government may provide “Special Permission to Stay in Japan on Humanitarian Grounds,” which is different from recognition of refugee status but allows for their medium- to long-term stays in Japan.
You Need Japanese Skills for Everyday Life.
Did you know that it’s virtually impossible to make a living in Japan without adequate Japanese language skills? In Japan, only a small percentage of people speak English, and French and other foreign languages are rarely understood. Learning Japanese is essential for daily life, especially for employment, but it requires extraordinary effort, as well as time and opportunities, to acquire Japanese to a level that will enable you to find a job. Even if you have job skills that you’ve acquired in your country of origin, your lack of Japanese language skills can prevent employment.
You will be required to wait several months for public assistance.
Did you know that after you apply for public assistance as a refugee applicant, you need to wait for 3 to 6 months before you can actually receive it? After applying for refugee status, you will usually be eligible to apply for a set amount of public assistance payment, but it is likely that you will face financial difficulties before the first payment is granted. In addition, the amount of the public assistance payment is intended to guarantee only a minimum standard of living in Japan, given the high cost of living.
You will face very high energy bills in winter and summer.
Did you know that you need to pay very expensive energy bills to maintain a comfortable room temperature during winter and summer in Japan? Japan experiences four distinct seasons, with an average temperature difference of more than 20 degrees Celsius between summer and winter days. The coldest months of winter, January and February, have an average temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius. You must cover the cost of utilities yourself to lead a healthy life, and it’s not a budget-friendly expense.
Some religious customs are very difficult (if not impossible) to practice in Japan.
Did you know that while Japanese people are generally tolerant of religious differences, it doesn’t mean you can freely practice all the religious customs you may have followed in your country of origin? Many Japanese people expect immigrants to adapt to Japanese culture and customs. In recent years, there have been news reports about immigrants from abroad facing opposition from local residents when applying for burial cemeteries in Japan. Religious-friendly foods (such as halal and kosher) are also uncommon and expensive. Additionally, not many employers offer flexible working hours to accommodate religious practices.
Although Japan is a free and peaceful country, it would be overly optimistic to assume that settling here by filing an asylum application is easy. The institutional hurdles are high, and Japan is not necessarily a comfortable or easily livable place for those unfamiliar with its language, culture, climate, etc.
Before deciding to travel to Japan, please carefully consider whether this decision truly serves your interests as you strive to overcome your current situation, and be aware of the disadvantages associated with choosing Japan as your destination.