The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau will launch deportation proceedings against nine Afghan men who have been refused refugee status.

Officials of the bureau say the men will be deported "after the situation in (their home) country stabilizes."

The Afghans' lawyers plan to seek re-examination of their refugee applications or ask the court to rescind the bureau's decision.

On Wednesday, the bureau officially notified five of the nine Afghan men that they were denied refugee status in Japan, on the grounds that they "lack credibility as refugees as some of them left (Afghanistan) to get jobs."

The five were released from detention earlier this month. The others, who remained in detention at a Tokyo immigration facility, on suspicion of illegal entry into Japan, were notified of their rejection Monday.

The nine were detained Oct. 3, but on Nov. 6 the Tokyo District Court approved a plea by five of them for release.

The day before, a different judge at the same court denied a similar request by the other four. On Monday, the Tokyo High Court rejected an appeal of that decision.

The nine, who belong to minority ethnic groups persecuted by the Taliban, arrived in Japan last summer.

Mohammad Yahya, 25, said he cannot understand why the bureau chose to deport him.

Mohammad Dahwd, 27, said: "I have no place to go as I have fled from persecution in my home country. I really want the bureau to grant us refugee status."