Key Facts
• June 20 marks World Refugee Day, highlighting global refugee issues.
• Ipsos surveyed 23,000 people across 29 countries, revealing Japan’s strict stance.
• UNHCR reports 42.7 million refugees globally as of late 2024.
• Only 17% of Japanese respondents believe refugees integrate well, lowest among 29 nations.
• 20% of Japanese think refugees contribute positively, second lowest after Hungary.
• 43% of Japanese agree wealthy nations have a moral duty to support refugees, lowest globally.
• 92% of Japanese respondents reported no refugee support activities in the past year.
• Japan’s rejection of refugees is not absolute; some views align with global averages.
• Surveyed countries include 8 Asia-Pacific, 12 Europe-Middle East, 8 Americas, and 1 African nation.
Summary
A global survey by Ipsos, conducted for World Refugee Day, reveals Japan’s notably strict perspective on refugees compared to 28 other nations. While 40% of global respondents believe refugees integrate well into society, only 17% of Japanese agree, the lowest among surveyed countries. Similarly, only 20% of Japanese think refugees contribute positively, ranking second lowest. Japan also scored the lowest (43%) in agreeing that wealthy nations have a moral responsibility to financially support refugees. Additionally, 92% of Japanese respondents reported no involvement in refugee support activities over the past year, the highest rate globally. However, Japan’s stance is not entirely dismissive, as fewer Japanese citizens than the global average believe in closing borders to refugees. The survey covered 29 countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe-Middle East, the Americas, and Africa, shedding light on varying global attitudes toward refugees.
