Refugee recognition and complementary protection
Japan · Official name: Recognition of refugee status / recognition of eligibility for complementary protection (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act)
People in Japan can ask the Minister of Justice to recognise them as a refugee under the Refugee Convention, or as a 'person under complementary protection'. Complementary protection started on 1 December 2023 under the 2023 amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. It covers people who meet every part of the refugee definition except the five Convention reasons (for example people displaced by conflict). If a refugee claim is refused, the Minister can still grant complementary protection. There is no deadline to apply. Recognised people without a status of residence can be granted 'Long-Term Resident' status.
Life in Japan
Finance
3
Currency
Japanese Yen
JPY
Japanese Yen
Cost of living
69
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–45%
Income tax (national)
Consumption tax 10%
Plus 2.1% reconstruction surtax on national tax and about 10% local inhabitant tax; 45% applies above JPY 40 million.
Living
1
Happiness
#59 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals in Japan who fear persecution (race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion), or serious harm such as conflict, if returned. People arriving by ship or plane can ask for landing permission for temporary refuge at the port.
Eligibility
Refugee (Convention) definition
Outside your country of nationality with a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, and unable or unwilling because of that fear to use that country's protection.
Complementary protection
A person who is not a Convention refugee but meets all the other requirements, except that the risk is not for one of the five Convention reasons. Persons displaced by conflict are the main example given by the Immigration Services Agency.
Apply in Japan, in person
Apply in person at the immigration office covering where you live or stay in Japan; there is no deadline to apply.
- Offices: Regional Bureau, District Office or Branch Office for your area
- A relative may apply if you are under 16 or too ill to attend
- Relatives who may apply: parent, spouse, child or other relative
- No time limit for applying
Official wording
Apply at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau, District Immigration Services Office or Branch Office covering your place of residence (or place of stay). You must attend in person; a parent, spouse, child or other relative may apply for someone under 16 or too ill to attend. There is no time limit for applying.
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- 2 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
Other routes to Japan
- Visit & tourismShort-term stay visa (tourism, business, visiting relatives), including the JAPAN eVISA for tourism
- StudyStudent (留学) status of residence
- Work permitsEngineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
- 3 more routes with Premium
