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is not to permit refugees of any kind to enter Japan. pointed out that they have applied considerable pressure on the Ministry of Justice during the last few months which has resulted in a softening of their attitude although in a majority of cases they have only granted entry after obtaining assurances from third countries that the refugees would be removed sooner or later. We have not yet been able to establish whether in the cases of the vessels "Cape Erimo" and "Enterprise" the Japanese actually agreed to give permanent homes to any refugees, although
The this may be implicit in granting them permission to land. Deputy Director of the First South East Asia Division was not impressed by our acceptance of UNHCR assurances as in the case of the "Ava". Tsukuda went on to make the point, and this has been echoed by other officials who have been dealing with the Vietnamese refugee problem here, that Japan's immediate concern was over the lack of suitable accommodation. Miyazaki, Director of the Visa Division, claimed that 234 had been admitted into Japan up to the end of August, of which 131 were still awaiting resettlement. addition the three refugee children who were born in Japan during that period unluckily do not automatically acquire Japanese citizenship under local law.
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most Considering possible solutions to the general problem, Japanese officials are anxious to see something done about it, although the only official meeting that we have heard of so far has been for the purpose of exploring the best ways of persuading other countries to give the kind of assurances that we have just provided. However it seems to me that there is some evidence to suggest that the Japanese would not necessarily be unwilling to accept UNICR assurances if other countries involved did so as well. The Japanese are aware that in most cases the refugees are resettled elsewhere sooner or later but my impression is that before deciding whether to accept UNHCR assurances they would like to see some more definite and positive action from UillICI. headquarters in Geneva in what
their efforts over resettlement. It might be possible for example 4K say, for UNHCR to ask the Americans, Australians, Canadians and others
to whom the refugees normally apply, for a definite entry quota. Come This would give those nations who are required to afford temporary смонт Under
homes for the refugees a little more confidence in UNHCR guarantees.
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As far as the UNICR local representative is concerned, Professor UMRRY 5.
Saito, inspite of all his good work, is only a part-timer and in our Alamo
The 'view the UNHCR need a full-time professional operator here. Japanese anticipate that the stream of refugees in unlikely to slow down very much in the foreseeable future and that resettlement will beacontinuing problem. We should be interested to know whether you consider it worth exploring possibilities with UNHCR in Geneva.
It is clear that in the Japanese would certainly be interested. present circumstances if further British flag vessels come to Japan with refugees on board the Japanese will expect us to give similar asgurances, to those we have already provided.
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