The Japanese Immigration Agency announced today, Tuesday, that foreigners fleeing conflict zones such as war-torn Ukraine will be eligible for long-term residency with a work visa. This comes as a revision to the immigration law, effective from the 1st of December.
The Ukrainian news agency “Ukrinform” conveyed the immigration statement, emphasizing that the new scheme is designed to aid those from conflict regions whose circumstances do not align with typical asylum requirements.
The 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention defines a refugee as a “person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.”
As of 20th September, there were approximately 2,091 Ukrainian refugees in Japan. Of these, 1,931 resided under a “designated activities” visa, valid for one year, according to the Japanese Immigration Services Agency. Their stay in Japan has been permitted based on the discretion of the Justice Minister.
The intensifying conflict in Ukraine has led to a surge in displaced individuals seeking asylum worldwide. Japan, typically known for its stringent immigration policies, has shown a welcoming gesture in light of these global events. The move to offer long-term residency to Ukrainian refugees symbolizes Japan’s acknowledgment of the grave situation in Ukraine and its commitment to humanitarian efforts. This decision may also pave the way for a broader conversation on Japan’s stance on global refugee crises in the future.
