World Refugee Day 2002: Japan

A "Refugee Book Fair" was held at Shosen Grande Bookstore in Tokyo throughout the month of June.

From 14 to 20 June, Nikkei, Asahi and Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers carried advertisements by UNHCR and "Japan for UNHCR" with a photo and message by Mr. Shigeo Nagashima, a famous baseball manager.

From 17 to 26 June, a World Refugee Day photo exhibition was organised jointly by Osaka International Exchange Centre and UNHCR with the support of Osaka City and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On 20 June, more than 40 MPs and representatives, including Mr. Yoshiro Mori and Mr. Tsutomu Hata, participated in the meeting of the Parliamentary League for UNHCR. A Chinese refugee and an Ethiopian refugee gave a talk about their experience in Japan. Other participants included officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice, NGO workers, and lawyers. Copies of the "Handbook for Parliamentarians/ Refugee Protection: A Guide to International Refugee Law" were distributed.

Talks about refugee issues were given by NGO and UNHCR staff at the invitation of schools, companies, Girl Scouts, and UNICEF/ UNESCO support groups from 20 to 30 June.

From 20 June to 19 July, a World Refugee Day exhibition was held at the UN House in Tokyo by UNHCR and "Japan for UNHCR", with financial support from Sugino Gakuen and Bunkyo Gakuin University. In addition to UNHCR photos and texts, photos by Masako Imaoka and correspondents of Mainichi Shimbun were also on display.