The revision of the immigration and refugee law has faced strong criticism from organisations that advocate for asylum seekers in Japan. These organisations are concerned that the amended law, if implemented, could lead to individuals being repatriated to their home countries, potentially putting their safety at risk.
The Japanese government believes that the current system, which does not allow for the deportation of foreign nationals while their refugee status applications are under review, is susceptible to abuse. It fears that some individuals may exploit the system by submitting multiple applications as a means to prolong their stay in the country. The amended law seeks to address this issue by allowing for the repatriation of individuals who fail to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims for refugee status.
Critics of the law, however, have pointed out that in the past, refugee statuses have been granted to individuals who made multiple applications. They argue that the amended law fails to consider cases where individuals genuinely qualify for refugee status despite making multiple attempts.
The amended law does introduce a provision for granting quasi-refugee status to individuals from conflict-affected regions. This would allow them to remain in Japan even if they do not meet the criteria for full refugee status, provided they have the necessary support and supervision from designated individuals.
Additionally, the amended law allows those applying for refugee status to live outside of designated immigration facilities. This move is intended to address the long-standing criticism of Japan's practice of long-term detention for foreign nationals.
The main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, has called for independent oversight of the system to ensure fairness. They argue that the process should not be solely entrusted to immigration officials and that a third-party authority should be involved.
In an attempt to block the bill's passage, the Constitutional Democratic Party submitted a censure motion against Justice Minister Ken Saito, who was responsible for the legislation. However, the motion was ultimately voted down in the upper chamber of Japan's bicameral parliament.
It is worth noting that Japan granted refugee status to a record 202 individuals in 2022. However, this number represents only a fraction of the 3,772 applicants, highlighting the comparatively low acceptance rate. In contrast, some European countries and the United States accept tens of thousands of refugees annually.
The passage of the amended law marks a significant development in Japan's immigration and refugee policies. While proponents argue that it aims to address concerns of potential abuse, critics contend that it may hinder the protection of genuine refugees. The impact of the revised legislation and its implementation will be closely monitored by various stakeholders in Japan and internationally.