NEWS

On January 16 and 17, 2025, the student organization Creating a World Without the Need for the Word 'Refugee' held a Refugee Photo Exhibition on the APU campus. The organization was formed in 2018, primarily by students from Associate Professor Yuko Uehara's seminar in the College of Sustainability and Tourism. Since then, they have continued their activities by hosting refugee photo exhibitions both on and off campus every year, with the goal of providing a platform to reflect on the complex issues surrounding refugees. This year's exhibition was co-hosted by Beppu City as part of the Beppu City 100th Anniversary Project.

The exhibition featured 41 photographs, primarily depicting the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas that began in October 2023 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine that started in 2022. Accompanying the photos were posters summarizing the historical background of refugee crises in these regions, as well as captions explaining each photograph. In addition to international refugee issues, the exhibition also included documentary footage capturing the lives of refugees living in Japan and those who support them, making the issue feel more immediate to visitors.

During the exhibition, Eri Ishikawa, Representative Director of the Japan Association for Refugees (JAR), was invited to give a lecture by way of Beppu City's Regional Internationalization Promotion Advisor Dispatch Program. JAR works to support refugees who have fled to Japan, helping them reclaim their human rights. Using recent global events as examples, Ishikawa explained how people become refugees, emphasizing that refugees are ordinary people who were forced to flee due to life-threatening situations in their home countries. She urged the attendees to recognize this reality.

The lecture highlighted the severity of the global refugee crisis, with the number of displaced people reaching a record 120 million as of May 2024. Japan, however, has a notoriously strict refugee recognition system, with an approval rate of only 3.8% in 2023—the lowest among G7 countries. Several factors contribute to this low acceptance rate, including the lack of independence in Japan’s refugee recognition process, a stricter interpretation of what constitutes danger compared to other countries, and the fact that the Immigration Services Agency, which is responsible for both immigration control and refugee screening, tends to prioritize management over protection. Ishikawa stressed that while NGOs like JAR can provide vital support within Japan's existing system, true refugee protection—ensuring their survival, restoring their basic human rights, and guaranteeing a minimum standard of living—should be led by the government.

To address these challenges, Ishikawa introduced actions that students and the general public can take, such as Meals for Refugees, a program that incorporates refugee recipes into university cafeterias, and raising awareness through social media. During the Q&A session, she discussed Germany’s approach to refugee acceptance, explaining that, from an economic perspective, welcoming refugees alongside proper investment in language education and vocational training leads to long-term benefits.

Additionally, an interactive workshop hosted by Creating a World Without the Need for the Word 'Refugee' focused on the Holocaust in Germany, exploring the factors that led to the tragedy. Participants reflected on the pain experienced by those affected and discussed the idea that the key to preventing history from repeating itself lies in a deep sense of compassion—exemplified by figures like Chiune Sugihara—and that this capacity for empathy exists within everyone.

Among the visitors to the exhibition was a Beppu resident who attends the event every year. Students also shared emotional responses, with one commenting, "Thinking about what it would be like if the people in these photos were my family members was heartbreaking." These reactions underscored how the exhibition encouraged deeper reflection on refugee issues.

Comment from Yoshinori Muneta (APM 4th year, Japan), Representative of Creating a World Without the Need for the Word 'Refugee'

We received many heartfelt comments from visitors, such as, "Learning about the situation in my friend's country was painful," and "Seeing the photos in person had a profound impact on me." It was deeply gratifying to witness how seriously everyone engaged with the refugee issue. We hope that this photo exhibition has provided an opportunity for more people to think about refugee issues.
The year 2024 was marked by numerous unpredictable global changes, including leadership transitions in various countries. As we move into 2025, we may face even more transformations, but we will continue to seek hope within change, question the significance of global events, and challenge ourselves to realize a world where the word ‘refugee’ is no longer necessary.