Well, it would be interesting to know how many people applied for asylum in Japan. The low numbers of recognized asylum-seekers is of course related to the geographical isolation. A lot of refugees never even make it to Japan.

Some resources:

Asylum seekers find no refuge in Japan

"Last year (1999), Japan accepted a total of 11 refugees, down from 16 in 1998. Some 200 applications for refugee status are received annually by the government. A justice ministry official says applicants usually wait a year for the decision on their cases. But government officials say there is no grand plan against asylum seekers."

=> http://www.atimes.com/japan-econ/BB12Dh01.html

USCR Country Report Japan

=> http://www.refugees.org/world/countr...ific/japan.htm

Japan Association for Refugees

=> http://www.japanreference.com/cgi-bin/jump.cgi?ID=4695

From their web site:

Despite the fact that the Japanese government ratified the Refugee Convention and Protocol in 1981, the overall environment surrounding the refugees and asylum-seekers requires much more improvement. While Indo-Chinese refugees in 1980’s, admitted exceptionally on an annual quota basis through Cabinet Understanding, were provided full social services i.e. accommodation, education, health and vocational training, there are hardly any such services available to those who make an asylum claim and go through the Refugee Recognition Procedures. Against this, the issue of refugees and asylum-seekers has not received considerable publicity in both public administration and civil society.
Refugees and asylum-seekers in Japan

=> http://plaza18.mbn.or.jp/~issj/Intercountry/ic14-2.htm

Migration News: Japan Asylum

=> http://migration.ucdavis.edu/mn/Arch...2002-16mn.html