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Japan willing to accept Ukrainian refugees: Kishida

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My bet is that they will let in a maximum of 50 people.

28 ( +40 / -12 )

Japan will accept Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's ongoing invasion, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday, in a break with the country's usual reticence to accept humanitarian arrivals.

Some wars, and some people, are more equal than others.

It will be interesting to see if there is any significant amount of Ukrainian refugees arriving how they will adjust to life in Japan.

16 ( +21 / -5 )

Wow, you know things are getting dead serious when even Japan is saying it’ll take some refugees in.

11 ( +20 / -9 )

My bet is that they will let in a maximum of 50 people.

Japan accept 54 Afghan refugee last year, number won't be changed that far.

8 ( +17 / -9 )

Yes, a few dozen as a PR exercise.

We're looking at a Syria-in-Europe type situation, which will place a large load on neighbouring countries. It should be the duty of countries further away, especially those profiting from the weapons, to do much more to help out.

One lesson of Syria is that you cannot have a large flow of refugees without it affecting the internal politics of the countries accepting them. This is not to blame refugees, far from it, only to stress the importance of avoiding situations that force people to leave their homes.

8 ( +18 / -10 )

If you are qualified. We will accept you.

-6 ( +15 / -21 )

Do it for real... Not this "we accepted refugees" but only 6.

7 ( +21 / -14 )

A few and it will make the news.

For me, it is more a PR toward the international community but I am sure Japanese will better accept Ukrainians than some refugees from other nations

17 ( +23 / -6 )

I'll believe it when I see it.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

First time heard some daring n bold decision by Japan government.

Whether it's 1 or 1000 that should give a big message to Put-in.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Yes, helping is of course common sense, especially in war times. But on the other side it’s always only helping the ones who are not so much in need of help. The real suffering and helpless people can’t even crouch out of the bunker or basement and even if they could they don’t even have the coins for a bus bringing them safely to the border etc. So everyone who makes it to other neighboring countries or even to Japan is in comparison already quite a rich, privileged war ‘victim’. They have often much more cash, better clothes or smartphones than you. Not a reason to envy, but a reason for trying to understand that the humanitarian problem isn’t solved at all by taking in ‘rich’ refugees.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I suspect the reason they are doing this is because they don't expect many Ukrainians are likely to take them up on the offer. The EU has already said all of them can stay and live and work there, and its objectively a much better place for them - close to Ukraine, much more welcoming environment, easier communications, established Ukrainian communities, etc. I could imagine a few hundred might end up here but I doubt many would be interested in Japan when they have better options elsewhere.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

No Rohingyas, a few Afghans, almost half a million people who've properly gone through visa procedures being blocked out. But Ukrainians are welcome - looks good being on the political band wagon. This govt. really showing its spots.

4 ( +14 / -10 )

Notice that he said 'First the ones who have family or friends already here, beyond that under consideration from a humanitarian perspective.'

I would not expect to see too many here...

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Never happen.....

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

If this war is showing us anything it is the hypocrisy of the western allies.

As Japan says this and the western European say how they support Ukraine.

We get more and more reports showing the difference in how Europe treat "white" vs others.

While Japan says it will take Ukrainian, as do Ukraine's neighbours.

BBC, CBC and others are reporting that "non-white" fleeing the fighting are being refused entry into neighbouring countries.

Nice to know how "Equal" lives are in Europe.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-the-wednesday-edition-1.6370108/nigerian-student-says-she-and-her-friend-were-treated-like-animals-trying-to-flee-ukraine-1.6370486

5 ( +13 / -8 )

Somehow I doubt Ukrainians would choose Japan before other and closer European countries. Or Canada, with the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, outside of their own homeland. This is nothing but a cheap political gesture.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Somehow I doubt Ukrainians would choose Japan before other and closer European countries. Or Canada, with the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, outside of their own homeland. This is nothing but a cheap political gesture.

And if Japan refused to accept any Ukrainians? You'd be bashing them for that, too.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

J-gov is only saying this because the chances of any Ukrainian refugees taking Japan up on this offer is slim and J-gov knows it. The Ukrainians who fled have a much better chance and opportunity to relocate, regroup, and recuperate in their neighboring EU countries where the culture is more familiar, the environment more comfortable, and the community more welcoming. The only Ukrainians that may apply for refugee status in Japan are those with ties and family here.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

"J-gov is only saying this because the chances of any Ukrainian refugees taking Japan up on this offer is slim and J-gov knows it. "

JT reported (2 days ago) about 2000 Ukrainians demonstrating in Tokyo.

How did they get there then, if Ukrainians are not interested in Japan?!

Now, just imagine 1 applicant for each one of 2000 already there.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

It can’t be helped that this was actually said out loud… I’m sure most Japanese men (with l0lic0n tendencies) are daydreaming about this prospect.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

you will give them income and blanket as well??

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Great news JGov, now how about the 100's of thousands displaced by the rogue state of the USA and their countless wars.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

So it seems an equal number of people don't like facts that shows the hypocrisy of Japan, Europe and North America!

Remember Syria? How about Myanmar? Rohingyas ring any bells?

We have an article yesterday about politicians, news reporters lamenting the poor blonde blue-eyed refugees and saying how it's different from Africans are middle Easterners.

Then we have reports of non white refugees being refused entry into other countries from Ukraine.

And now we have Japan so willing to take Ukrainian refugees in when it wasn't willing to do anyone else oh wait any other non-white refugees.

Down vote all you want but this is the reality, just look around!

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

i wonder why nobody accept refugees from Syrian, Iraq, Libya, etc. They are human too..

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

talk of empty suit is cheap one...very cheap...

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

MarkToday  01:45 pm JST

i wonder why nobody accept refugees from Syrian, Iraq, Libya, etc. They are human too..

David Sakvarelidze's interview BBC:

, "It is very emotional for me because I see European people with blue eyes and blonde hair being killed by Putin's missiles and rockets."

Does that answer your questions?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

it is a nice act of any country to accept and help refugees from ukrain.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

mtuffiziToday  02:41 pm JST

it is a nice act of any country to accept and help refugees from ukrain

But not Syrians, Rohingyas, etc...

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

I'd say it'll be a max of 100 and they’ll only be allowed to stay for a year, there’s no way they’ll be given permanent residency.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

My bet is that they will let in a maximum of 50 people.

Your bet may be lost, as a Japanese retailer (running Don Quixote) has announced it would accept 100 households of refugees from Ukraine. Let's hope that more Japanese businesses are likely to follow suit alongside the state asylum program.

パンパシフィックHD、ウクライナ避難民100世帯受け入れへ

https://jp.reuters.com/article/pan-pacific-ukraine-idJPKBN2L004B

I suspect the reason they are doing this is because they don't expect many Ukrainians are likely to take them up on the offer. The EU has already said all of them can stay and live and work there, and its objectively a much better place for them - close to Ukraine, much more welcoming environment, easier communications, established Ukrainian communities, etc. I could imagine a few hundred might end up here but I doubt many would be interested in Japan when they have better options elsewhere.

The refugees basically have right to choose where to go/re-settle. At least it is much better for them to gain various choices or alternatives available, rather than sheer rejection whatever. No reason to tease Japan over this decision at this point.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The refugees basically have right to choose where to go/re-settle. At least it is much better for them to gain various choices or alternatives available, rather than sheer rejection whatever. No reason to tease Japan over this decision at this point.

So why was that not the same for Syrians, or Rohingyas from Myanmar?

No need to answer we already know the answer!

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Yes, Ukrainian asylums may come, but I'm sure with many strings attached. And just a handful. And they are on route to another country.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

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