Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Japan
Japan: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 22,647 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Japan, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
The most recent figure for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Japan is 22,647, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 27.6% on the previous year and up 63.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Japan peaked at 31,293 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 282, in 2000.
Japan ranks 39th of 179 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Japan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 282 | — |
| 2001 | 321 | +13.8% |
| 2002 | 314 | -2.2% |
| 2003 | 424 | +35.0% |
| 2004 | 474 | +11.8% |
| 2005 | 520 | +9.7% |
| 2006 | 1,214 | +133.5% |
| 2007 | 1,502 | +23.7% |
| 2008 | 2,292 | +52.6% |
| 2009 | 2,931 | +27.9% |
| 2010 | 3,023 | +3.1% |
| 2011 | 3,680 | +21.7% |
| 2012 | 4,695 | +27.6% |
| 2013 | 6,730 | +43.3% |
| 2014 | 9,284 | +37.9% |
| 2015 | 13,823 | +48.9% |
| 2016 | 18,801 | +36.0% |
| 2017 | 31,204 | +66.0% |
| 2018 | 29,040 | -6.9% |
| 2019 | 29,123 | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 23,765 | -18.4% |
| 2021 | 16,709 | -29.7% |
| 2022 | 12,473 | -25.4% |
| 2023 | 23,916 | +91.7% |
| 2024 | 31,293 | +30.8% |
| 2025 | 22,647 | -27.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,027 | 282 | 2,931 | 10 |
| 2010s | 14,940 | 3,023 | 31,204 | 10 |
| 2020s | 21,800 | 12,473 | 31,293 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More social development data for Japan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 42,450 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 56 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 1 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 56 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0003 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Japan?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Japan was 22,647 in 2025, according to Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- What is the highest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 31,293 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 282 in 2000.
- How does Japan rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Japan ranks 39th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 63.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published as part of Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Asylum-seekers are individuals who have sought international protection and whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined. This includes those who are in various stages of the asylum process, such as initial application, appeal, or awaiting final decision. In specific contexts, asylum-seekers may also include those who are seeking protection under complementary forms of protection, and those enjoying temporary protection, but whose claims are still under consideration.