Japan

Japan is a State party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and one of UNHCR’s top donors globally. The country plays a vital role in global refugee protection.

In 2024, significant political and legislative shifts shaped the operating context, including a hung parliament and the full enforcement of the amended Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. While the new Complementary Protection system was a welcome step, concerns remain regarding provisions that may increase the risks of refoulement. Around 12,000 new asylum claims and over 1,000 CFP applications were recorded. The government also amended its guidelines to address statelessness more explicitly.

UNHCR provides policy and technical support to Japan to strengthen asylum systems, improve integration conditions, and advocate for accession to the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions. Engagement with national authorities, parliamentarians, municipalities, civil society, academia, media, and the private sector remained central to promoting public support and accurate narratives around forced displacement. Initiatives such as JICA’s education pathways and discussions on labour mobility created new opportunities for refugee inclusion.