It has long been pointed out that the lengthy processing time required for refugee recognition reviews has led to abuse of the system.
Sankei Shimbun article
Kurds in Turkey repeatedly apply for refugee status; Minister of Justice Suzuki: “I will also give instructions to speed up the screening process” – (Sankei Shimbun, March 26, 2025) is summarized in below:
Regarding the issue of Turkish nationals making up nearly half of the foreigners who have applied for refugee status multiple times, Minister of Justice Suzuki Kasuke indicated his intention to issue appropriate instructions to speed up the processing of refugee applications. According to statistics from the Immigration Services Agency, of the approximately 12,000 refugee applicants last year, 1,355 had applied multiple times, and of these, approximately 46% were Turkish nationals (mainly Kurds).
The revised Immigration and Refugee Recognition Act allows for the deportation of applicants who have applied three times or more, but he explained that they are dealing with the situation appropriately, taking into account information regarding the Kurds in Turkey.
In addition, the average processing time for a refugee application is about one year and ten months, and if a request for review is made, an additional year is added, meaning that it often takes a total of about two years and ten months.
Changes in processing period
| 2019 | １７. ０ months |
| 2020 | ２５. ４ months |
| 2021 | ３２. ２ months |
The article at the beginning of this article can be said to indicate the Minister of Justice’s intention to shorten the period. I think this is a natural expression of intent to prevent abuse of the refugee recognition system, but I also feel that it should have done earlier.