Filing an application for refugee status when the real objective is to work is outrageous. Misuse of the nation's refugee recognition system cannot be left unaddressed.
Starting this year, the Justice Ministry has largely restricted employment of people who have applied for refugee status.
The ministry introduced a system under which a basic screening, based on submitted documents, is conducted within two months of the application being filed. Applicants deemed to have a high possibility of being a refugee are swiftly given permission to work in Japan. People who clearly do not fall in the refugee category, such as those who applied due to debt problems in their home country, will not be allowed to find employment here.
In 2017, more than 19,600 foreign nationals applied for refugee status in Japan -- an increase of 80 percent from the previous year. The fact that many of these applicants came from the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries with few reasons to generate large numbers of refugees cannot be overlooked. It seems many of these were false applications aimed only at getting permission to work.
This is not a desirable situation, given that the refugee recognition system is intended to help people who have fled severe persecution.
The refugee recognition system was overhauled in March 2010, when the Democratic Party of Japan was in power, and allowed all applicants to begin working six months after submitting a refugee application. The objective of this change -- to protect the livelihoods of applicants while their applications were being screened -- was, in itself, significant.
After the system was changed, the number of applications reached a record high for seven consecutive years. This is because of the spread of the mistaken belief that people can work legally in Japan provided they have only applied for refugee status. It can be said these applicants have taken advantage of the system. This has also created the adverse effect of prolonging the processing period.
Protect those in real need
In the first month after the new system was implemented this year, the number of applications was just half that of the same period last year. This shows there has been some effect in preventing the submission of false applications.
However, it is concerning that the clampdown on work permits has led to an increase in people not going through the refugee application process and working illegally.
In 2017, about 60 percent of people who applied for refugee status were short-term visitors who had entered the nation for purposes such as tourism. There also were many applications filed by technical trainees who had absconded from their training sites, and international students who quit the schools where they were studying.
Countermeasures are needed to ensure these people do not get sucked into illegal employment.
Foreign workers are becoming a valuable source of manpower in industries struggling with labor shortages. It is important to accept these workers through the proper procedures. On this issue, the government should consider a framework that encompasses a broad array of perspectives, not just the refugee recognition system.
It must not be forgotten that the latest system review should also lead to refugee status being granted more swiftly. In 2017, only 20 individuals were granted refugee status in Japan. The rate of successful applications is extremely low compared to those of European nations.
Furthermore, restricting the employment of applicants could strengthen the perception that Japan is "reluctant to help refugees." The screening process must be made more transparent.
It is essential to steadily protect refugees who genuinely need help.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 27, 2018)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
