Refugee Protection in Japan and Taiwan: Common Challenges and Ways Forward for Human Security

Abstract

This chapter explores the current situation of refugee protection in both Japan and Taiwan. For both, refugee assistance serves a diplomatic purpose by promoting the country’s contribution to external refugee issues, rather than implementing the norms and spirit of the Refugee Convention domestically. This chapter examines the gaps between international standards in the protection of asylum seekers and refugees, and Japan’s implementation of those standards. It also looks at how these challenges are manifested for Taiwan, which lacks an asylum law. Both countries have adopted an ad hoc approach to refugee protection, resulting in human security risks for refugees and asylum seekers. Adopting an asylum law would be an important move for Taiwan. The experiences of Japan, however, suggest that a legal framework is not enough, unless there is broad acceptance and implementation of the responsibility to protect refugees in society. The complexity of the landscape, and the interplay between international and regional dynamics relating to the Asia–Pacific, law, and declaratory statements, means that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. To establish meaningful refugee protection, all the tools available must be utilised to increase public awareness and to develop inclusive solutions, where civil society involvement plays crucial roles.