Asylum seekers in Japan

Of the roughly 1 million asylum seekers worldwide, Japan sheltered only 26 in 2001. That compares with 20,487 in the United States, 17,547 in Germany and 14,410 in Britain.

Japan's government didn't begin taking in even the trickle of refugees until 1982, and its reluctance to put out the welcome mat like other industrialized countries has drawn increased criticism. [...]

The latest Japanese asylum figures, released in March, only highlighted the dour picture. The number of refugees allowed in dropped by nearly half last year to just 14 people from 250 applicants, an acceptance rate of 5.6 percent.

In 2001, the United States took in 34.5 percent of 59,432 applicants, while Canada sheltered 30.3 percent of 44,038. Britain accepted 15.7 percent of 92,000 asylum seekers, and Germany took in 19.9 percent of 88,287.

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