As per the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees, a refugee is defined as an individual who is unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Japan is a signatory to this convention, which places an obligation on member nations to provide protection to refugees. However, people fleeing Ukraine and those in similar situations do not meet the specified criteria. According to Japan Today, as of September 20, approximately 2,091 Ukrainian evacuees were in Japan. Of these, 1,931 were residing in Japan under a one-year designated activities visa, as confirmed by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Up until now, Japanese authorities have only granted refugee status to individuals who strictly fulfill these conditions. This approach has sparked controversy, as it seemed to suggest that Japan was closing its doors to people seeking refuge from humanitarian crises worldwide. Justice Minister Ryuji Koizumi stated in a press conference on Tuesday that the new system for those eligible for subsidiary protection was swiftly implemented to alleviate the suffering of many individuals. This decision aims to provide relief to those in need.
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