Japan's acceptance of asylum-seekers has made meaningful progress, including its serving as a trial "third country" in a United Nations-promoted trial resettlement program, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said Thursday in Tokyo.
Speaking at the Japan National Press Club in Chiyoda Ward, Guterres noted Japan has accepted more asylum-seekers and granted more special residence permits on humanitarian grounds.
"Since my last visit one year ago, it is important to say that we are witnessing very meaningful, positive progress in the Japanese asylum system," Guterres said. "The Justice Ministry and the Immigration Bureau have been consistently improving refugee status determination in Japan."