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JAPAN'S RESPONSE TO THE INDOCHINESE REFUGEE PROBLEM
July 1983
Division for Refugee Affairs
(GAIMUSHO)
1.
Basic Policy
Japan considers that the Indochinese refugee problem
is not only a humanitarian concern but also a major
political issue affecting the peace and stability of the
ASEAN countries, Thailand in particular.
Accordingly,
in addition to its diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a
fundamental political solution, Japan intends to continue
to cooperate as far as possible to alleviate the burden on
the ASEAN countries by such means as financial cooperation
and accepting refugees into Japan.
2.
Diplomatic Efforts
Believing that a fundamental and long-term solution
to the refugee problem requires efforts to remove the
very root cause of the outflow itself, Japan has repeatedly
appealed to Vietnam, through diplomatic channels at every
available opportunity, to prevent the illegal departure
of its people.
As for the Cambodian problem, Japan has been seeking
to find a political solution based upon U.N.
resolutions.
With regard to the voluntary repatriation of Cambodian
refugees, on the other hand, Japan proposed at the "ASEAN
Ministerial
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