1. Gather all documents you will need to present or submit in order to obtain a refugee status.
2. Complete an application form.
3. Submit form along with all other required documents.

• Documents showing that the applicant is a refugee (The applicant may submit a statement to assert that he/she is a refugee instead) (1 copy)
• Two (2) Photos: Size - 4cm3cm, must be taken within 3 months before the application procedure and shows the applicant's upper body with uncovered head, indicating the name on the reverse side.
• The applicant must present the following documents:
  • Passport or Certificate of Status of Residence (if the applicant, a foreign national is unable to present his/her passport or Certificate of Status of Residence, then he/she must submit a document that states the reason why)
  • Residence card (if available)
  • Applicable certificate if the foreign national has Permission for Provisional Landing, Landing permission for Crewmen, Permission for Emergency Landing, Landing Permission Due to Disaster, or Landing Permission for Temporary Refuge; or
• Permit of Provisional Release if the applicant is released provisionally.

Note: In principle, documents and materials which have been submitted will not be returned to the applicant. If you have submitted any original copies of documents and materials, which would be difficult for you to re-obtain, and would like to have them returned to you, notify the immigration office when you file your application.

Foreign Residents Information Center: Information and advice service for foreign nationals. These centers are located at Regional Immigration bureaus and District Offices of Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka.

Information concerning procedures for entry and stay for foreign nationals is given over the phone or by direct visit in various languages including English, Korean, Chinese and Spanish.

Immigration Offices

Email address: info-tokyo@immi-moj.go.jp

Immigration Bureau Website

An alien currently residing in Japan

Free of charge

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Application for Recognition of Refugee Status

Note: You can print this form on an A4 sized paper (Japanese Industrial Standard)

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

It will take about 6 months for your application to be processed.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type="website">video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

• Submit your application to obtain refugee status at a Regional Immigration Office (or the Immigration Information Center) in your area.
• You may apply from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on business days, (Some Regional Immigration Offices or Immigration Information Center may have a specific day and time when such applications are processed, so make sure to inquire first before going to an immigration office.)
• If the applicant is younger than 16 years old or is unable to submit the application form because of illness or other reasons, his/her relative may submit the application on his/her behalf.

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Following are procedures on how you can apply for a refugee status in Japan.

Governing Law for this procedure: "Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees," "Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees" and Paragraphs 1 and 2, Article 61-2, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

• Japan Immigration Bureau:

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/07.html

More information which might help people.