Foreigners fleeing conflict zones to be eligible for Japan long-term residency from Dec 1

Great news for the thousands of Palestinians, Libyans and Syrians that will be welcomed into Japan....

Of course I'm joking. This is only for Ukraine.

To fill the labor shortage. A job, the best way to integrate into the society

If this helps out some Ukrainian victims of Russia's war of aggression - a great many of whom have connections and family in Japan - this is a very positive thing.

Great news for the thousands of Palestinians, Libyans and Syrians that will be welcomed into Japan....

Because they'd all fit seamlessly into Japan, right? How about some of those incredibly wealthy Muslim oil states - UAE, Oman, Qatar etc - give them a hand for once?

Not all people that feeling from country are the same, country that received international spotlight like Ukraine will have special treatment in Japan. Other country only can hope for that, check what happened with people from Afghanistan.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/09/15/national/afghanistan-refugees-lack-of-support-pressure/

a great many of whom have connections and family in Japan - this is a very positive thing.

Really? How many is a "great-many"? Japan is notorious for only allowing a token few refugee status or any special status that grants long term residency.

Seems like a positive move, but Japan still doesn't want refugees, despite being a signatory to the convention.

My question is, why is Japan seen as a refugee destination in the first place?

It is safe, there is no war, there is some community and government assistance - and there is an established Ukrainian community.

But what will they do here in Japan? Live on government benefits?

Trying to fit in and live in Japan could be a nightmare for many.

My question is, why is Japan seen as a refugee destination in the first place?

You're definitely not far off the mark.

Japan wants to be praised as a refugee destination without really putting in any effort. No country engages in more hollow virtue signalling for clout on the international stage than Japan. Japan doesn't care about humanitarian or environmental issues - they just pretend to because they want to be seen as a part of the big boys club of nations.

Japan has taken in considerably less refugees than countries in North America or Western Europe. Is that a bad thing? Of course not! Japan is putting their people first. That's fine. What disgusts me is the extent they go to to pretend they are selfless when really they're not.

Just say you can't handle large amounts of foreigners instead of pinning a medal on yourself for something you didn't do.

So this is only for The Ukrainians. Good to hear

Stay closed Japan, do not open the door. Look at the Western countries, most are in shambles due to their open door immigration policy

UA men send back home to fight for country,women and kids can stay.

UA men send back home to fight for country,women and kids can stay.

and you keep saying you want it to stop.

Wise decision.

Better give long-term visas than the japanese passport (for refugees) that can't be revoked not even under extreme circumstances.

I personally met a vietnamese man with a japanese refugee passport, he had just been released from the prison from the 5th time (drug related), but this time he went straight to the immigration detention center, just to be released 1 month later after the immigration figured out they are pretty much powerless to do anything.

He shared his cell with a guy who got his powerful 永住権 permanent visa revoked, battling for years inside to get it back after being nabbed for smoking a joint for the 1st time.

Once Japan grants someone a refugee status, they are stuck with the foreigner forever.

The UK is now pushing back on the UN charter for refugees fleeing for being threatened for the sexual orientation. But they still won't do dental checks to check the ages of so-called boat children, even when one claiming to be 15 was found to be closer to 40 when he visited the the dentist!

Seems like a positive move, but Japan still doesn't want refugees, despite being a signatory to the convention.

Neither does New York City.

Careful Japan, look Europe and USA asylum madness..

Well, at least they're from Ukraine..

It is safe, there is no war, there is some community and government assistance - and there is an established Ukrainian community.

This is NOT an excuse to travel to the other side of the world to seek asylum, if your life is truly in danger, seek asylum in the nearest country...

Globalism is a danger for continuity of countries..

an other tatemae project

This is NOT an excuse to travel to the other side of the world to seek asylum

Alright then. According to your own rule, from now on, you are only allowed to move to a country that directly borders the one you live in right now.

wolfshineToday  08:30 am JST

Trying to fit in and live in Japan could be a nightmare for many.

My question is, why is Japan seen as a refugee destination in the first place?

You're definitely not far off the mark. 

Japan wants to be praised as a refugee destination without really putting in any effort. No country engages in more hollow virtue signalling for clout on the international stage than Japan. Japan doesn't care about humanitarian or environmental issues - they just pretend to because they want to be seen as a part of the big boys club of nations. 

Japan has taken in considerably less refugees than countries in North America or Western Europe. Is that a bad thing? Of course not! Japan is putting their people first. That's fine. What disgusts me is the extent they go to to pretend they are selfless when really they're not. 

Just say you can't handle large amounts of foreigners instead of pinning a medal on yourself for something you didn't do.

I tend to agree with this statement.

This has been done just to show to the international community that on paper they’re aligned with the other free democracies but in fact I doubt that this plan will effectively take place.

Japan's immigration agency said Tuesday that foreigners fleeing conflict zones

I wonder why Kyodo used ‘foreigners’ instead of ‘people’ in their headline and first paragraph.

Because the world outside Japan is populated by ‘foreigners’ and not people?

As long as it's easy to deport them for crimes, no problem. It's become almost a cliche to say look what's happened in Europe, but as long as Japan keeps looking that way the country should be safe.

Japan wants nursing home labourers farm labourers, construction labourers, factory labourers and highly skilled IT professionals.

Not entrepreneurs, doctors, journalists, town planners or social workers.

Better give long-term visas than the japanese passport (for refugees) that can't be revoked not even under extreme circumstances.

That has always been the case, the vast majority of the people that remain in the country after a long period of petitioning for refugee status do so with other kinds of visa. That of course mean there is still something to gain for their efforts, but at the same time Japan ends up recognizing a ridiculous small number of refugees because of it.

William_BlakeToday  12:37 pm JST

WandoraToday 12:18 pm JST

As long as it's easy to deport them for crimes, no problem. It's become almost a cliche to say look what's happened in Europe, but as long as Japan keeps looking that way the country should be safe.

What?!!

Why would refugees be more likely to commit crimes than anyone else in Japan!?

If you have no explanation, then this comment is purely racial discrimination.

Being xenophobic is kind of the opposite intention of accepting refugees.

..and Race Card played.

Who the hell mentioned race? This is about cultures and the possible negatives of mixing them.

Funny , Japan wont give long term visa to those who's been in Japan for past few years working or studying but willing to give to those who hardly have any understanding of Japanese culture or the language !!

“Maybe the war will be over and peace will return in 90 days -smile-“ can see the immigration officer now while stamping unapproved on their documents seeking refugee status.

There are many foreigners now in Japan and a large portion of them from Africa either married to Japanese and or overstayers.

My guess Japan is embracing the Ukrainians is that they are white, and many will have money and with some kind of professional trades and which would be a welcome relief for Japan. Me being white and with black friends, I am just stating what I have seen and experienced over the years and heard, too, living in Japan.

yea because people (from conflict zones or otherwise) are all lining up to enter Japan.

This is what you get when you overuse words, abuse systems.

Not a long time ago the term "refugee" gave you the image of a family fleeing war, armed conflict, natural disasters etc. while hoping to go back to their homelands as soon as the dust settles.

This is exactly what these Ukrainians are: refugees, waiting to go back to their land.

Only when you actually get to work for the Ministry of Justice (police, immigration, etc) and go take a peek inside 3 detention centers you will understand the reality, until then you're just a clueless keyboard warrior parroting nonsense online for us to laugh.

Open the floodgates! If "conflict zones" is the only criterium, there is no limit on the coming flood, as there is no lack of those. Lots of NGOs must be licking their chops already. Look at the current situation in Lampedusa to see where this is heading.

finally rich

This is what you get when you overuse words, abuse systems.

Not a long time ago the term "refugee" gave you the image of a family fleeing war, armed conflict, natural disasters etc. while hoping to go back to their homelands as soon as the dust settles

Not long time ago, it did, and as as for Ukrainian refugees it still might apply mostly, but if you look at those boats arriving daily in Italy and Greece, you see boatloads of young men, but hardly any women and children. I suppose women and children are now considered safe in conflict zones....

Must be a typo in there somewhere. I'm sure they meant European war zones or conflicts where white people are involved and we can feel sorry for them. Others need not apply unless you can work lots of hours for slim pay and berating from the natives all day. Editor, please make the necessary changes

Hmm.. There are many people from India, Srilanka, Pakistan etc are living in Japan under Refugee status. No Idea what conflict they have in their country, Especially Indians!?

Long term resident status equal permanent residency. The longer someone comes into the country under such circumstances it is hard to remove them. Especially if they come and start a family because now the kid will only know Japan should he or she grow up there. Similar with the Koreans who are now settled in Japan they will have to fight for years for permanent residency for life. What Japan is creating is two societies a Japanese society within and a permanent refugee/asylum society!

The new system is designed to help enable the approval of residence for individuals from conflict zones whose circumstances do not conform to the requirements for refugee approval. long-term resident status with a working visa under a revision to the immigration law, starting from Dec 1.

Bravo! This fulfills Japan’s obligation to the convention but more importantly it significantly contributes to Japan’s desperately needed Increase in its workforce and overall population.

I don’t think they should get a long-term residency, I think they should get only a three year visa with a work permit! Go through the process just like the rest of us have. Took me ten years.

@Mr KiplingSep. 27 07:05 am JST

Of course I'm joking. This is only for Ukraine.

It's blatantly obvious Ukraine and Ukrainians were the motivators, but it remains to be seen if Palestinians, Libyans, Syrians & Afghans can get on "the train" as well even if it was built initially for Ukrainians.

@JeffLeeSep. 27 07:43 am JST

Seems like a positive move, but Japan still doesn't want refugees, despite being a signatory to the convention.

A refugee is someone that can't get in through the front door. Anyone that's actually an asset would have been allowed in through one of the other doors, without resorting to the refugee doors. And people have tried to claimed refugee status even when it doesn't fit them - such as that dead Sri Lankan woman claiming to be a refugee because she was threatened by a man who lives in ... Japan!

Japan just doesn't let these people sneak their way in.