"I hope this program will be strongly invested (in) by the new administration, as an important expression of Japanese burden-sharing with the refugee centers around the world," the head of the U.N. refugee agency said in an interview with Kyodo News ahead of his visit to Japan Nov. 19-20.
The success of this program could lead to more refugee resettlements in Japan, and would contribute to the UNHCR's goal of finding global solutions to ending refugee problems, some of which last for decades.
Guterres, who was prime minister of Portugal between 1995 and 2002, also expressed hope that Japan's new government would accommodate more refugees than before and push for humanitarian aid in various regions.
"We need Japan. Japan has a crucial role to play," he said. "We are moving in a multipolar world...and we believe Japan is a key actor."
Guterres is expected to meet Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Justice Minister Keiko Chiba.
When asked if the number of refugees may be low at 90 to take part in the pilot resettlement program in the next three years, Guterres said it was important to focus on quality and ensure the success of the project.
"It is better to start with a small number of people and with a clear investment by the national government, the local government and civil society to make sure that these people feel adequately integrated in the new society in order for the future development of the program to take place," he said.
Guterres also added that Japan was the first Asian country that expressed willingness to be a resettlement country. This, he said, has strong symbolic value "which goes far beyond the numbers involved."
According to the UNHCR, 2,100 people applied for asylum in Japan in In the same year, it rejected 1,095 applications. Depending on the measures used, Japan has an approval rate of between 17 percent and 31 percent, compared to 52 percent for Canada, one of the top refugee resettlement destinations, along with the United States and Australia.
In 2009, Japan was the UNHCR's third largest contributor of funds, with $109 million, behind the United States and the European Commission as an independent institution, excluding member nation contributions. Japanese private donors added $4.3 million to this amount.
