Japanese Govt to Help Syrian Refugees Set Feet in Japan

Tokyo, Jan. 9 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to help refugees from civil war-battered Syria find jobs to set their feet in Japan, informed sources said Monday. Last May, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan will accept up to 150 Syrian refugees as students over the next five years. For enrollment in September this year, the Japan International Cooperation Agency picked 20 Syrian refugees from applicants in neighboring Lebanon and Jordan with help from the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Now 11 universities, including Keio University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Hiroshima University and Tokyo University of Agriculture, are scheduled to admit them. Foreign students have to leave Japan after completing their master's courses, basically for two years, unless they obtain status of residence. According to the sources, JICA will help Syrian refugees not only obtain the residential status but find jobs in Japan after they finish their study courses. Specifically, the quasi-government organization will ask companies to offer internship opportunities while trying to find firms willing to hire them. Vocational training will be given to the refugees and Japanese language training to the refugees and their families. As financial assistance through JICA, the government will provide 140,000 yen per Syrian student per month, 13,000 yen per spouse and 6,500 yen per child. The sources also said JICA plans to give the students advice on how to get accustomed to life in Japan. Currently, Japan accepts only a few Syrian refugees each year, drawing international criticism that the country shuts the door to those people. With the "generous" support measures, Japan hopes to make as much contribution as possible, a JICA official said. END