Refugee applications in Japan hit record 1,599 in 2008+

TOKYO, Jan. 30 Kyodo - The number of foreign nationals who applied for refugee status in Japan hit an all-time high of 1,599 in 2008, about double that of 2007, the Justice Ministry said Friday.

The ministry attributed the surge, which hit the highest level since Japan's
refugee recognition system began in 1982, to increased applications from
Myanmar following pro-democracy demonstrations there in 2007.
In 2008, Japan recognized 57 people as refugees, up 16 from the previous year,
the ministry said, adding that all but three were from Myanmar.
People from Myanmar were the largest group of refugee-status seekers,
accounting for 979 of the total, followed by those from Turkey at 156 and those
from Sri Lanka at 90.
Of those who were not recognized as refugees, a record 360 obtained special
permits to stay in Japan on humanitarian grounds, the ministry said.
Japan joined the U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in 1981. It
defines refugees as those with a well-founded fear of being persecuted for
reasons of race, religion, nationality or political opinions.
==Kyodo
2009-01-30 22:58:05