“When my visa expires, is it better to apply for recognition of refugee status? How many of applicants are recognized in Japan?
Under the Refugee Convention, when you have a well-founded fear of being persecuted and the fear is based on religion or membership of a particular political opinion, if you go back to your country, by being recognized as a refugee, you are granted permission to stay in Japan and protected your life.
When you apply six months after arriving in Japan, you might be granted permission for a provisional stay. This permission is basically valid for six months, and you can stay in Japan during the term.
You can also select a language other than English among several languages when you fill in the application form, so please check out the following page that gives you more detailed information, and make sure that you are able to apply for the recognition of refugee status in your mother tongue.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/07_00051.html?hl=en
In application I would recommend you ask an attorney who is familiar with recognition criteria.
I would love to help you with this matter.
In Japan, recognition of refugee status is made at an extremely low rate, and this is criticized internationally: in 2024, only 2.2% people are recognized as refugees. However, in light of the purpose of the procedures that are based on an international treaty in order to protect refugees, I believe that Japan should recognize refugee status more positively. I have many friends of overseas lawyers who are working with me. I can tackle the refugee and asylum issue with international lawyers’ cooperation in practice and theory.
