Japan accepts record-high 303 refugees in 2023

Japan granted refugee status to a record-high 303 people in 2023, as applicants more than tripled from the previous year following a recovery in inbound travel, the country's immigration agency said Tuesday.The total increased by 101 from the previous year, marking a significant rise, but still fell far behind Western countries, many of which often accept more than 10,000 a year.The largest group at 237 was Afghans, many of whom were employees of the Japan International Cooperation Agency who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control there, officials said.Other national groups rep…READ FULL ARTICLE