Japanese communities unite against hate targeting Kurdish neighbors

Japanese communities unite against hate targeting Kurdish neighbors

In late March, members of Japan's Kurdish community gathered at a park just outside Tokyo to celebrate "Newroz," or "New Day," a festival marking the start of spring and the Middle Eastern ethnic group's New Year. Revelers in traditional dress linked arms to dance to energetic music in Akigase Park, Saitama, while kids played among the crowd. Stalls sold kebabs, embroidery and even books about the Kurdish community in Japan. Read full story here

Regarding the issue of repeated refugee recognition applications by the Turkish Kurdish minority group living in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, a written response approved by the Cabinet revealed that there is a specific cycle in which the number of refugee applications by Turkish nationals increases every year from October, peaks in March, and then drops sharply.