We invite you to explore Refugee Voices Japan, a growing digital archive of oral narratives from people seeking asylum in Japan. This multilingual platform offers firsthand accounts of the refugee experience in Tokyo, collected through in-depth interviews and presented with care, context, and respect. Using hundreds of video clips of our interviews, you will hear refugees tell their own story in their own words. (https://refugeevoicesjapan.com/)

Why this site?
Refugees asylum seekers in Japan often remain invisible in public discourse and academic literature. Their voices are rarely heard directly. Refugee Voices Japan was created to help change that--by providing a space where people in detention, in limbo, or rebuilding their lives can speak for themselves. 

Refugee Voices Japan is student work with more voices included each semester.
We work in collaboration with Sophia Refugee Support Group. (https://www.instagram.com/sophia.srsg/?hl=en)
Check them out! 

Who you'll meet here:
Yasser, reflecting on growing up in Assad's Syria
James, realizing he had to flee the conflict in Cameroon to keep his family safe
Sunday, explaining survival strategies inside a Japanese Detention Center
Nahed, unpacking COVID-19 work in Tokyo
And many more

What you'll find here:
Background materials on Japan's refugee policies and immigration system
Transcribed and subtitled video interviews (Japanese and English)
Detailed narratives that contextualized these interviews for classroom and research use
A description of our methodology 

This website presents a small fraction of a larger archive we've been building since 2017. For questions or collaboration, feel free to get in touch. We're happy to give talks at universities or for activist groups, and to help you develop curriculum using our materials.