On World Refugee Day: Expanding Opportunities for Learning and Working in Japan

Globally, people forced to leave their homes due to conflict and human rights violations have reached 41.6 million refugees, with a total of 117.8 million including internally displaced persons by the end of 2025 (UNHCR 'Global Trends Report 2025'). Many are facing prolonged displacement. Meanwhile, those seeking refuge abroad while staying in their home countries are also numerous. For example, in Afghanistan, women's education and employment are banned, and former government officials, those with study abroad experience, women involved in social activities, and minority groups are at risk of persecution. However, opportunities to flee abroad are extremely limited. Even in Western countries that have traditionally accepted many refugees and displaced persons, there are movements to review and reduce acceptance systems. In this context, 'Complementary Pathways,' which create new avenues for acceptance through education and employment, are gaining international attention. Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Pathways Japan (Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Norimasa Orii) began accepting refugee and displaced youth as 'international students' in 2016 as one of the activities of the certified NPO Refugee Support Association. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the project, during which 232 people (including accompanying family members) have been accepted, and over 70 young people have found jobs in Japan, starting new careers. Additionally, the 'Watanabe Rizo International Scholarship,' which supports the higher education of refugee and displaced youth living in Japan, has also celebrated its 5th anniversary, supporting a record 25 people this year. For refugee and displaced youth to have opportunities to 'study' and 'work' in Japan not only shapes their future but also contributes to the diversity and vitality of the accepting society. Pathways Japan is advancing the creation of new models that generate value for both refugees/displaced persons and the accepting society. On this occasion, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the project, a special website has been launched that compiles the journey so far and the voices of refugee and displaced youth, as well as those who support them. The site will introduce the progress of those who have come to Japan, the voices of various stakeholders such as educational institutions, companies, and supporters, and expand the circle of support for refugee and displaced youth studying and working in Japan. Website URL: https://pathways-j.org/10thanniversary Acceptance from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine A record over 2,000 applicants—overcoming deteriorating conditions, 26 take a new step in Japan Pathways Japan implements the 'Japanese Language School Pathways' program, accepting youth whose learning and future choices have been taken away due to conflict and human rights violations, so they can pave the way to the future in Japan through Japanese language schools. For the 2026 program, a record 2,056 applications were received from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Even as global acceptance of refugees and displaced persons is shrinking, many young people exist who strive to carve out their future through education. The selection process comprehensively evaluates adaptability to Japanese society, motivation to learn Japanese, future vision, and other factors, resulting in the acceptance of 32 individuals. After some withdrawals due to family circumstances or health reasons, a final 26 individuals arrived in Japan. However, the path to arrival was not smooth. This year, in addition to the harsh situation in their home countries, the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East and South Asia from late February forced more than half of the students to postpone their travel. Nevertheless, the students did not give up on their hope to study in Japan and continued to wait for the opportunity to arrive. To respond to their feelings, various stakeholders, including related agencies, educational institutions, and arrival support volunteers, collaborated and made adjustments tailored to each individual's situation, allowing the students to reach Japan and take a new step forward. The students who arrived are taking classes at Japanese language schools while starting to look for part-time jobs, expanding their contact with society. * At the welcome party after arrival, a student representative shared their thoughts. For details, please see here. Advancing to Higher Education and Employment—Expanding Mutual Support Among Refugee and Displaced Youth Ten years since the project's inception, the youth who have arrived in Japan are studying, advancing to higher education, finding employment, and carving out their own paths. Those who received support and came to Japan have grown into supporters of their juniors, and a community among refugee and displaced youth has also been nurtured. At orientations for newly arrived students, senior students and graduates share their experiences and provide advice on life and learning in Japan. At explanation meetings for higher education and employment, graduates support their juniors' career choices and preparations based on their own experiences. A cycle is beginning to form in Japanese society where refugee and displaced youth grow through learning and pass on their experiences to the next generation. Employment: 74 -Full-time: 53 -Part-time: 10 -Freelance: 11 Job hunting (currently part-time employed): 11 Graduate school (master's and doctoral): 14 University: 37 Non-regular university courses: 2 Vocational school: 6 Preparing for higher education: 6 Others (moved to a third country, returned to home country, etc.): 33 Currently enrolled in Japanese language school: 48 (As of the end of May 2026) Senior orientation for newly arrived students Senior students advise juniors at the 'Job Hunting Explanation Meeting' Supporting Higher Education for Refugees and Displaced Youth Living in Japan Record 25 selected—Youth carving out their future through learning The higher education enrollment rate for people with a refugee background is only 9% globally (UNHCR Education Report 2025). For many young people, the opportunity to study at university remains a high hurdle. Under the SDGs goal, international society is advancing efforts to raise this to 15% by 2030. In this context, the 'Watanabe Rizo International Scholarship' was established to support refugee and displaced youth living in Japan in pursuing higher education and expanding their potential. The wish of the donor, Rizo Watanabe, is strongly embedded: 'I hope that young people with a refugee background can demonstrate their abilities through learning and create a future where diverse human resources can thrive in Japanese society.' This year, there were 226 applications, significantly more than the previous year, and after evaluation by a selection committee composed of scholars and experienced individuals, a record 25 scholarship students were selected. The scholarship students are at various stages of deepening their learning, from new undergraduate students entering university in 2026 to doctoral students. Their fields of specialization are diverse, including engineering, economics, Japanese language education, tourism, medical care, and nursing. They come from five countries: Myanmar, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, and Cameroon, with 16 women and 9 men. The paths to arrival vary for each individual. Some fled to Japan as international students due to the impact of civil war and conflict, some grew up in Japan from a young age as their families came to Japan as refugees, and some came to Japan in their teens with their families and continued their studies.