The FWEAP has been holding the ‘Tsudoi’ Festival for Refugees in Japan (hereinafter, ‘Tsudoi’) to provide commendations to settled refugees honoring their achievements, as well as to help the Japanese public understand them better. This festival has taken place annually since 1982 with the cooperation and support of the Japanese government, international organizations, local governments, private-sector refugee support organizations, etc. In the “commendation ceremony” part, commendations are provided to 1) settled refugees and those with similar status who have contributed to refugee communities or local communities, 2) companies that have provided refugees with employment opportunities, and 3) individuals or organizations that have provided specific assistance, particularly in the areas of life and education. More information can be found in the FWEAP’s public relations magazine “Ai” and on its YouTube channel.

Here are the recommendation standards for ‘Tsudoi’ commendations:

1. Commendation recipients
The commendation standards for settled refugees and those with similar status, companies that have provided refugees with employment opportunities, and individuals or organizations that have provided assistance, are described in the three categories (2. to 4.) below, respectively. For objectivity reasons, each recommendation shall be endorsed by at least one person.

2. Settled refugees and those with similar status: One person
(1) Eligible individuals
Must meet one of the following requirements:
1) Settled refugee in Japan (Indo-Chinese refugees, Convention refugees, and third-country resettlement refugees, including naturalized Japanese citizens), or members of their family
2) Persons under complementary protection, or members of their family
3) Other people who do not qualify as refugees but who are permitted to stay in Japan for humanitarian basis.
4) Evacuees
5) Those who have already been commended in the past but have made noteworthy contributions again
(2) Recommendation standards
Nominees must meet one of the following requirements:
1) Those who have made noteworthy contributions to refugee communities
2) Those who have made noteworthy contributions to Japanese society or local communities
3) Other people who have been recognized by the President of the FWEAP as having made noteworthy achievements

3. Companies that have provided refugees with employment opportunities: One company
(1) Eligibility
Employers who have employed more than one person who meets the eligibility criteria in 2. (1) above for a long period (at least 3 years)
(2) Recommendation standards
Must meet one of the following requirements:
1) Employers who proactively employ people who meet the criteria in 2. (1) above and provide special accommodations for them in terms of their treatment and work environment (compensation, housing, support for acquisition of qualifications and licenses required for work, Japanese language learning support, etc.)
2) Other employers who have been recognized by the President of the FWEAP as having made noteworthy achievements

4. Individuals or organizations that have provided assistance: One person or one organization
(1) Eligibility
Individuals or organizations that have provided assistance to people who meet the criteria in 2. (1) above continuously for a long period
(Note) Excluding administrative authorities and individuals and organizations doing so for profit
(2) Recommendation standards
Must meet one of the following requirements:
1) Individuals or organizations that have provided specific noteworthy assistance to people who meet the criteria in 2. (1) above, particularly in the areas of life and education
2) Other individuals or organizations that have been recognized by the President of the FWEAP as having made noteworthy achievements