Nongovernmental organizations in the Asia-Pacific region supporting asylum seekers say they are watching with great interest how Japan will handle the resettlement of people from Myanmar starting next year, because it will influence their nations.
Panelists at an international symposium titled "Refugee Protection in the New Era and Civil Society" in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Saturday also said getting the word out on the need for humanitarian assistance is growing increasingly necessary in these dire economic times when people are losing their jobs and feel supporting refugees should not be a priority.
Organized by the Japan Association for Refugees, the symposium drew participants from NGOs in Australia, the United States, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan.