Myanmarese Footballer Obtains Refugee Status in Japan

Osaka, Aug. 20 (Jiji Press)--Pyae Lyan Aung, a former member of the Myanmarese men's national soccer team who refused to return home from Japan after a military coup in the Southeast Asian country, obtained refugee status in Japan on Friday. Speaking at a press conference in Osaka, western Japan, Pyae Lyan Aung said he had been worried about how his life would be but that he is stable now. The 25-year-old footballer received his refugee certificate and resident card at the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau. Pyae Lyan Aung drew attention after raising a three-finger salute in protest against the Myanmarese military while the Myanmarese national anthem played before the kickoff of a World Cup qualifier match in Japan in May. In mid-June, he arrived at Kansai International Airport near Osaka with his teammates. He refused to board his flight home, however, and stayed in Japan with assistance from supporters. Later, he filed an application for refugee status in Japan, claiming that his life would be under threat if he returned home. Pyae Lyan Aung is now a trainee at Y.S.C.C. Yokohama Futsal, based in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. He aims to become a futsal player while working part time. It pains his heart to see protesters dying in Myanmar, Pyae Lyan Aung said, adding that he hopes that peace will be restored. In May, Japan's Justice Ministry introduced an emergency measure for screening refugee applications filed by Myanmarese people swiftly, in response to the coup. END