How long does it take to be granted refugee status?

You will be notified of the outcome of your case, whether it is approved or not. It is difficult to say how long the examination process takes, but it is getting longer every year; in 2021, it took an average of about 2 years and 8 months for the results of the initial refugee application to be issued. In addition, if a request for review is filed as an administrative procedure to appeal against a denial of recognition, it takes, on average, less than two years to receive the results of that procedure.

What is the difference between refugee status and permission to stay on humanitarian grounds?

Even if a person is not recognized as a refugee, he/she may be permitted to stay in Japan for "humanitarian reasons". If a person is admitted for "humanitarian reasons," he or she will usually be granted "long term resident(1 year)"or"designated activity(1 year)", but will not receive the same guarantees, benefits, or support that those who have been granted refugee status will receive, except for social security.