since 2005, and it was 1,156 in 2009, increased by 2.7 times compared to the previous year. (Table 42)

Table 42: Changes in the number of filings of objections and decisions of the Minister of Justice

Year	1982~2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	Total
Division
Not recognized as a refugee	2,230	294	249	389	446	791	1,703	6,102
Filing of objection	1,470	209	183	340	362	429	1,156	4,149
Decision	With reason	11	6	15	12	4	17	8	73
Without reason	1,108	155	162	127	183	300	230	2,265
Withdrawn	254	23	18	33	34	34	70	466

(*) As the procedure of “filing of an objection” was established by the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, as amended, that was implemented on May 16, 2005, the application of objection made prior to the implementation of said Act was deemed to be replaced by “filing of an objection” after the implementation.

## 2 Finding of Objections

Among the objections filed by applicants who failed to obtain refugee status, 2,804 of them were handled during the period from 1982 through to the end of 2009. According to the statistics, 73 objections were considered to be with reasonable grounds and the applicants were granted refugee status. However, 2,265 objections were found to be without reasonable grounds and the remaining 466 objections were terminated for reasons such as the departure of or withdrawal by the foreign national who had filed the objection.

Looking at the change from 2005 until 2009, the number of objections that were considered to be with reasonable grounds decreased in 2005 (15), in 2006 (12), and in 2007 (4). It increased in 2008 (17), but decreased again in 2009 (8).

Those that were considered to be without reasonable grounds decreased in 2004 (155), in 2005 (162) and in 2006 (127). This number was 183 in 2007 and turned into a significant increase of 300 in 2008. However, it decreased again in 2009 (230). (Table 42)

## Section 3 ◆ Purpose of the Refugee Examination Counselors System and its Implementation

The Refugee Examination Counselors System was started in May 2005 in order to ensure the equity and neutrality of objection filing procedures. This procedure made it mandatory for the Minister of Justice to hear the opinions of refugee examination counselors when making decisions on objections filed against denial of refugee status.

The Act provides that refugee examination counselors shall be appointed from among persons of reputable character who are capable of making fair judgments on the objection filed in connection with denial of refugee status and who have an academic background in law or current international affairs. They are appointed by the Minister of Justice on recommendations from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (hereinafter referred to as “UNHCR”), Japan Federation of Bar Association, Refugee Assistance Headquarters, etc.

The Act provides that the Minister of Justice must hear the opinions of refugee examination counselors on all the cases in which an objection has been filed. Prior to this process, a process of oral statement of opinions by a petitioner, etc. in which a petitioner, etc. states his/her opinions, or a process of questions in which a refugee inquirer or a refugee examination counselor questions the petitioner, is implemented.