Impacts on refugee law: Implications for Japanese law, European Union law and international human rights law

This chapter focuses on how the reception by States of displaced Ukrainians has impacted the law in Japan, European Union and international human rights law. The Japanese Government's support for Ukrainian 'displaced persons' began on 28th February 2022 with a statement by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This initiative has been led by the Immigration Service Agency of the Minister of Justice, other Ministries and agencies, national and local authorities and private companies. The legal status of Ukrainian 'displaced persons' is 'designated activities'. It is not a stable status and there are concerns that assistance might end at any time. However, there has never before been an example of Japan receiving such a large number of people in urgent circumstances. The acceptance by Japan of Ukrainians is a paradigm shift, as Japan is now engaging in international cooperation within its territory as opposed to abroad/externally in other countries as it has traditionally/historically done. It is noteworthy to accumulate good practices by public institutions (government and universities) and to relate them to the broader issue of foreigners in the future, as a 'cornerstone on the backbone' to protect foreigners in Japan, which has been extremely reluctant accepting refugees and displaced persons in the past.