Japan Processes Record Number of Chinese Refugees in 2020 11 May 2021 Chinese nationals accounted for nearly one-quarter of the foreigners granted refugee status in Japan in 2020, a record high number despite a significant drop in overall refugee applications in Japan last year due to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic. “A total of 47 foreigners were recognised as refugees and permitted to remain in Japan in 2020, of whom 11 were Chinese, according to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. However, none of the 11 are from Hong Kong,” the South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday. The number of Chinese nationals granted refugee status in Japan last year “was the highest figure since Japan began accepting refugees in 1982,” according to the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK).