Most asylum-seekers live precariously. Only one Kurd has been granted formal refugee status. Thousands do not have valid visas or work permits, and are often detained for overstaying their visas or working illegally. Since arriving in Japan three decades ago, and applying for asylum, Ali has been detained for four years in total. “How are we supposed to survive if we don’t have any income?” he asks.
https://www.economist.com/asia/2023/10/26/meet-the-japanese-kurds
4 comments
They can survive if they go back to their country of origin legally.
I am an Australian who lives in Japan. This article has raised a very important issue. This means that somewhere in Japan, I might actually be able to get a decent kebab? Warabi? Thats about 40 mins from my place. Sweet!
Japanese are doing right thing for their country unlike Turkiye which opened borders to whoever comes and goes.
The Turkish government has been pressuring the Japanese government not to grant refugee visas to Kurds with Turkish citizenship. That is why, despite a Japanese court ruling that some Kurds should be granted refugee status, the government has not done so.