Japan denied refugee status to Russian who sailed to Hokkaido

"On Friday, the Consulate General received from the Japanese side an official notification of the detention of a citizen of the Russian Federation for illegal entry", - RIA Novosti quoted the message of the Consulate General. The Japanese authorities will conduct an investigation to find out exactly how the Russian got into the country. Most likely, he will be deported.

According to the newspaper Hokkaido , the Russian will not receive refugee status, nor will he be issued a temporary permit to stay in Japan. The reason, among other things, is the fact that Tokyo considers Kunashir (where the Russian came from) its territory. Granting refugee status would contradict Japan's position on the ownership of the Kuril Islands.

Earlier it became known that the Russian sailed from Kunashir to Hokkaido (distance - about 25 km) to obtain asylum. He was subsequently handed over to immigration officials who had to either issue a residence permit or deport him.