UNHCR's Guterres hails Japan's adoption of refugee resettlement program

TOKYO, Dec. 19 Kyodo -
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed Japan's
decision to become the first Asian country to accept refugees under a
resettlement program, describing it as a ''very important symbolic development
in Japanese asylum policy.''
Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal, however, also said that
''progress needs to be made'' by Japan regarding its provision of assistance to
asylum seekers, including easing current detention policies.
''We hope this will translate itself into positive developments in the
future,'' Guterres said of Japan's plan to accept around 30 refugees from
Myanmar currently sheltering in Thailand. ''What I think is important is to
recognize that we are moving in the right direction,'' he said.
Although the quota of 30 refugees for the pilot project is relatively small
compared with the number accepted by countries such as the United States,
Canada and Australia, Guterres stressed that the UNHCR had requested that Japan
start with a small number as ''quantity comes after quality.''
Noting that the smooth resettlement of refugees requires a wide range of
measures to facilitate integration, such as language training, education and
job opportunities, Guterres added, ''The worst thing that can happen is to
start a resettlement experience and not be successful.''
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso personally conveyed to Guterres, in talks in
Tokyo on Thursday, the Japanese Cabinet's approval earlier this week of the
resettlement plan.
This was followed by a liaison meeting Friday morning involving relevant
ministries, which officially drew up concrete measures under the program.
Japan will accept 30 Myanmarese refugees currently sheltering in Thailand each
year between fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2012. The refugees will receive Japanese
language training and other assistance under a 180-day support program to help
them to integrate and settle in Japan, government officials said.
Japan's fiscal years begin in April.
Under the plan, the Office of the UNHCR will compile a list of candidates and
Japanese officials will interview the refugees in Thailand from April. Those
selected will undergo health checks and will be briefed on Japanese culture
before moving to Japan.
The refugees will be provided with accommodation in Japan while they receive
language and job training. As they complete the support program, consultations
and assistance will be provided for them to find housing and employment, the
officials said.
The United States, Canada and Australia as well as some European and Latin
American countries have already introduced the refugee resettlement program,
which calls for third countries to accept refugees who have fled to nearby
states due to conflicts in their home countries but have found it difficult to
settle there or return.
An estimated 1,500 foreign nationals applied for refugee status in Japan in
2008, almost double the figure in 2007, Guterres said.
Japan is a signatory of the U.N. convention on refugees but has traditionally
been reluctant to grant refugee status.
The prolonged screening process, which took an average of 20 months in 2007,
has also drawn criticism as asylum seekers are often left in limbo and forced
to lead impoverished lives in Japan as they are not eligible for public
assistance or employment while waiting for a decision from the Justice
Ministry.
==Kyodo