DESK REVIEW ON POPULATIONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS
C.2. Statistics
Available statistics of known population:
•
3,836 persons identified by the PNLSC through Japan Government Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Commissioned Surveys
•
»»
1,275 have acquired Japanese nationality
»»
1,651 deceased without acquiring nationality or unknown*
»»
910 of those cases are estimated to be alive and at risk of statelessness
108 applicants through the Philippines statelessness status determination system
(according to the DOJ-RSPPU):
•
»»
6 recognized as stateless190
»»
102 pending applications
315 cases filed in Japan family court since 2003
»»
249 approved
»»
6 pending
»»
30 withdrawn
»»
30 denied
*PNLSC estimates that 100 persons die each year as the population is aging, and the issue
is therefore urgent.
To collect these statistics, 13 surveys have been conducted periodically since 1995. The
first four surveys were conducted by the Federation of Nikkeijin-Kai, commissioned by the
Japanese Embassy in Manila. The subsequent nine surveys were commissioned by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to the PNLSC.
According to the PNLSC, the Embassy in the Philippines started the survey after coming
across PJD and receiving letters and calls to help find their family members. As for why the
Embassy started conducting these surveys, the PNLSC says that according to the officers
and Consuls, there are limits to what they can do to help without a law, regulation, or scheme
that gives them some authority. What is within their authority already is the conduct of
surveys and research, and that is why this survey has consistently been commissioned.
All six cases recognized as stateless by the Philippines DOJ-RSPPU, have been submitted and recognized in Japan through
Shuuseki applications. Courts give weight to this official Philippines government certification.
190
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UNHCR / April 2021