Deadline: 7 days

If you received a notice that you were not recognized as a refugee, you must file a request for administrative review within 7 days from the day you received the notice.

If you send the request by post, it is on time as long as you mail it within the 7 days. Even if you live far from Tokyo, you may still be in time.

Email a photo or scan of your notice to a.yuuki@yuukihoumu.jp today.

Email Us Your Notice

Received a Denial Notice? What to Do Today

The notice is written in Japanese. Check whether it contains one of these phrases:

  • 難民の認定をしない (you were not recognized as a refugee)
  • 補完的保護対象者の認定をしない (you were not recognized as a person eligible for complementary protection)
  • 認定を取り消す (your recognition was revoked)

Then email us the following:

  • A photo or scan of every page of the notice
  • The date you received the notice (if it came by post, the date it was delivered)
  • Your name and nationality
  • A photo of your residence card (front and back), if you have one
  • The language you prefer to use

Our contact form cannot accept attachments, so please send documents to a.yuuki@yuukihoumu.jp.

Email Us Your Notice

Decisions We Can Help You Challenge

  • Denial of refugee status
  • Denial of complementary protection status
  • Revocation of refugee status or complementary protection status

Denials of other visa (residence status) applications cannot be challenged through this procedure.

What We Do for You

  • Prepare and file your request for administrative review (審査請求書)
  • Analyze the reasons for the denial and prepare your written statement (申述書) and supporting evidence
  • Attend your oral hearing as your representative
  • File your residence applications during the review (for example, extending your Designated Activities status) as a certified immigration filing agent

What We Cannot Do

  • File a lawsuit in court to cancel the denial. This is work for a lawyer (bengoshi).
  • Handle matters related to detention or deportation procedures.
  • Guarantee the result.

Why a Specific Administrative Scrivener Can Represent You

A Specific Administrative Scrivener (特定行政書士) is a licensed administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi) who has completed additional training and is authorized to represent clients in administrative appeals.

Under the amended Gyoseishoshi Act, in force since January 1, 2026, a Specific Administrative Scrivener can represent you in appeals concerning any application document that a gyoseishoshi is able to prepare (Article 1-4, Paragraph 1, Item 2). Before the amendment, representation was limited to applications the scrivener had actually prepared.

This means we can represent you even if you filed your refugee application yourself.

How the Process Works

Step 1: You Receive the Notice

  • You: Email us a copy of the notice the same day.
  • We: Confirm your deadline and the reasons given for the denial.

Step 2: Filing the Request for Review (Within 7 Days)

  • We: Prepare the request for review addressed to the Minister of Justice and arrange its submission within the deadline.
  • You: Sign the documents we send you, including a power of attorney, and return them by post.

Step 3: Written Statement

  • We: Analyze the reasons for the denial and prepare your written statement (申述書) with supporting evidence.
  • You: Answer our questions by email and send us the documents we ask for.

Step 4: Oral Hearing

An oral hearing (口頭意見陳述) may be held before Refugee Examination Counselors (難民審査参与員).

  • We: Prepare you for the hearing and attend as your representative.
  • You: Attend the hearing and explain your situation in your own words.

Step 5: Decision

The Minister of Justice makes the decision after hearing the opinion of the Refugee Examination Counselors.

  • We: Explain the decision and its reasons to you.
  • You: If the request is rejected and you wish to go to court, consult a lawyer promptly.

Nationwide Support by Email and Post

From your first contact to filing the request and preparing your written statement, we work with you by email and post. You do not need to visit our office, wherever you live in Japan.

The oral hearing is held at a place designated by the reviewing authority. Where it is held, and whether it can be held by video conference, is arranged with the authority case by case.

Languages

We handle consultations, interviews, and explanations of documents in English and Japanese. We can also support you in other languages. Please tell us your preferred language when you contact us.

You can reach us by email or through our contact form.

Your Stay in Japan During the Review

While your refugee application is pending, including during the review, removal from Japan is in principle suspended (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 61-2-9). This does not apply to:

  • People making a third or later application (unless they submit materials showing substantial grounds for recognition)
  • People sentenced to life imprisonment or imprisonment of 3 years or more (except suspended sentences)
  • People who fall under, or are reasonably suspected of falling under, grounds such as terrorism

How your residence status is handled depends on your individual situation.

Contact Us

Contact us as soon as you receive the notice. Email a copy of the notice to a.yuuki@yuukihoumu.jp, or send us a message through the contact form.

Contact Us

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Legal References (checked October 10, 2026)

Last reviewed: October 2026