The importance of bottom-up approach in policy-making: The case of Japan's refugee policy

Japan's historical inclination towards isolationism and maintaining an ethnically homogeneous society, coupled with its policy of assessing foreigners based on its own criteria and interests, has placed thousands of asylum seekers in a precarious position. The nation faces both domestic and international criticism for its stringent refugee policies. Until 2010, Japan attempted to address this issue through ad hoc measures. However, even the "resettlement" program initiated in 2010, which aimed to accept more refugees, did not achieve complete success. Subsequently, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) stepped in. NGOs supporting refugees, along with business sector representatives, began to communicate the fundamental issues to government officials. In Japan, where the bottom-up approach is prevalent, the efforts of NGOs found resonance. These organizations played a pivotal role in selecting refugees for the "resettlement" program, determining their city of residence and employment, thus alleviating some of the state's burden. The Japanese government endorsed these NGO initiatives and supported the collaborative platform they established, the Forum For Refugee Japan. The bottom-up approach, a staple in democratic societies and a subject of social science studies, advocates for the involvement of stakeholders in shaping policy. This case study highlights the positive impact of bottom-up activities on national policy, as evidenced by the evolution of Japan's refugee policy, which also employs process-tracing methodology. In democracies like Japan, policy decisions are not solely dictated by governing elites but are informed by the grievances, critiques, and suggestions of those affected by the issues. To strengthen democracy, the dissemination of the bottom-up approach is essential.