“I thought Japan was a country that respected human rights…” More and more foreigners have nowhere to go as they wait for refugee screening, living in the open for three months: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Amidst the rapid increase in the number of foreigners applying for refugee status as immigration restrictions due to the new coronavirus are eased, foreign men from Africa who are applying for refugee status have been living in a group in a park in Tokyo for three months. Ta. The refugee recognition process took a long time, making it impossible for him to work, and he was unable to receive public support, so he had nowhere to go. When it comes to certification, not only is the certification rate low, but the situation these people are currently in is becoming increasingly serious. (Masaki Nakamura)

◆Eat only one meal a day, even if you are not feeling well such as having a fever.

“We are refugees. We came to Japan because we thought it was a peaceful and safe country.”

On the night of November 6th, about 20 people were camping in a park in a quiet residential area. When the reporter spoke to them in English or through a translation app, the men seemed troubled.

It is said that each of them came to Japan separately and alone since August to escape their home countries, where conflict and repression of anti-government movements continues. We don’t even know each other. They applied for refugee status, but because they didn’t have a place to stay, they spontaneously started gathering at the park to help each other.

According to the men, they only eat one meal a day while living in the wild. On days when the weather was bad, he couldn’t sleep and spent the whole night standing on his feet. Some people suffered from physical ailments such as high fever and headaches, and one person said, “I thought Japan was a country that respected human rights. ” he divulged.

◆Even if you receive the “protection allowance” under review, it will be several months later

The Refugee Support Association, a certified NPO that supported the men’s applications, is providing temporary accommodation for the increasing number of applicants, but it has not been able to keep up.

Another aid organization was able to arrange a place for the men at the park to stay in mid-November. However, as of the end of November, about 10 people were confirmed to be camping out. It is said that this is an unprecedented situation in which there are so many homeless people.

Foreigners who apply often have no relatives or acquaintances, and often have limited funds. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides “protection allowances” for living expenses to those who are under examination, but according to the association, it takes several months to six months to receive such allowances due to the application and examination process. Even for temporary work permits, the procedure at the Immigration Services Agency often takes about eight months.

◆If the number of homeless people spreads, there are concerns about conflicts with local residents.

The association sees no signs that the number of applicants will decrease in the future. If the number of homeless people increases, there are concerns about conflicts with local residents. Shiho Tanaka of the association’s public relations department asks for understanding, saying, “We sometimes hear concerns from residents.It’s understandable that people have concerns about foreigners they don’t know, but they are not the problem.”

The Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We have not provided detailed answers regarding individual specifics.”

◆Extremely low refugee recognition rate, yet an increase in arrivals and applications

Japan’s refugee recognition rate has been 2% in 2022. The fact that it is significantly lower than that of major European and American countries has been viewed as a problem. In addition to this, the treatment of people undergoing certification examinations has once again emerged as an issue.

According to the Refugee Support Association, the number of applicants has increased since entry restrictions were eased in the fall of 2022, and many are coming to Japan on tourist visas. Another factor seems to be the frequent occurrence of conflicts around the world.

The association and three support organizations in Nagoya and Osaka have confirmed that at least 12,000 people have applied this year. The number of people has already exceeded the 10,000 mark in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic. Approximately 30 people visit the support association every day for consultation, which is about six times the number during the coronavirus pandemic.

◆Insufficient system despite joining the Refugee Convention

Eriko Suzuki, a professor of international population migration at Kokushikan University who is familiar with the refugee system, said, “Japan is a party to the Refugee Convention, which guarantees and protects the rights of refugees. “There is no system in place at all,” he said.

Professor Suzuki points out that (1) there is no legal basis for the payment system for the protection allowance that supports applicants’ livelihoods (2) it is not paid and it is not possible to appeal even if you are dissatisfied with it (3) it takes a long time to receive it (4) It enumerates problems such as the level of payment being lower than the minimum cost of living, which is the standard for welfare.

In addition, applicants are not allowed to work for a certain period of time, so “in the absence of public assistance or self-help, mutual assistance from civic groups and other organizations has filled the gap, but with the increase in the number of applicants, it has reached its limit, and they are forced to camp out in the wild.” There are some people who can’t.” “If they can receive stable support from the time they enter the country, their chances of becoming independent later on will increase.The Japanese government, as a party to the Refugee Convention, should fulfill its minimum obligations.”