Japan granted refugee status to a record-high 303 people in 2023, as applicants more than tripled from the previous year following a recovery in inbound travel, the country’s immigration agency said Tuesday.
The total increased by 101 from the previous year, marking a significant rise, but still fell far behind Western countries, many of which often accept more than 10,000 a year.
The largest group at 237 was Afghans, many of whom were employees of the Japan International Cooperation Agency who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control there, officials said.
Other national groups represented among those granted refugee status included Myanmar at 27 amid enduring internal conflict under the country’s military government, while Ethiopians numbered six, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan said.
The number of applicants for refugee status in Japan surged to 13,823 people, marking the second-highest figure on record after 19,629 people sought asylum in 2017.
The highest number of applicants came from Sri Lanka at 3,778, followed by Turkey and Pakistan.
“As border controls imposed due to COVID-19 have ended, the number of applicants for refugee status is increasing with the recovery of inbound travel to Japan,” the agency said.
Read the full story at Japan Today.
