Foreign Ministry's New Refugee Policy - Drive Them Into Poverty

[Mulboyne]

Asahi: Foreign Ministry withdraws financial aid to 100 refugee applicants
Hard up for cash, the Foreign Ministry has withdrawn its offer of financial assistance to 100 foreign nationals who applied for recognition as refugees, plunging many of them into misery. The ministry said it introduced stricter criteria from this fiscal year because of a budget shortfall caused by a sharp rise in the number of applicants. The assistance serves as a lifeline for applicants. Without it, many are facing dire financial difficulties. Some, unable to pay their rent, have been forced to vacate their apartments...Applicants are eligible to receive assistance until the Justice Ministry's Immigration Bureau has examined the cases and reached a decision on whether to grant refugee status...The financial assistance comes to 1,500 yen a day for an adult and half that amount for a child. The funds are doled out on a monthly basis, along with up to 40,000 yen for rent per person, through the ministry's Refugee Assistance Headquarters. As the applicants do not have permits to stay in Japan, they cannot obtain permission to work. Thus, the financial assistance--the only form of aid from public organizations in Japan--is vital for covering daily living expenses...Starting this fiscal year, however, the ministry narrowed down the recipients to those who were suffering from a serious disease, children, pregnant women and elderly people. As a result, 100 names were struck off in April and May...more...

[Samurai_Jerk]

I'm sure that'll make a huge dent.