Most Kurds in Japan are from shepherding villages in Southeast Turkey and reside in the Warabi and Kawaguchi areas of Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo. Warabi, especially, has been nicknamed "Warabistan"[2][3] by those who are interested in Kurdish people, culture and issues.
Some Kurdish people arrived in Japan in order to request refugee status; citing human rights abuses in Turkey and Iraq. Nonetheless, so far none have been successful in their application due to failing to meet refugee status requirements.[4][5] While many obtain visas through marriage with a Japanese citizen, most have obtained "Special Permission to Stay" (在留特別許可Zairyū Tokubetsu Kyoka) visas, which must be renewed every three months while their refugee application or appeal is being reviewed. A documentary directed by Masaru Nomoto (野本 大) entitled Backdrop Kurdistan (バックドロップ・クルディスタン) documented the legal struggles of one Kurdish family (Kazankıran family: Japanese: カザンキラン, Kazankiran)[6] from Kahramanmaraş Province.
In 2015, a clash took place outside the Turkish embassy in Tokyo between Kurds and Turks in Japan during early voting for the Turkish general election. Japanese and Kurdish sources claimed the clash began when the Turks assaulted the Kurds after a Kurdish party flag was shown at the embassy.[7][8]
He is married to a non-Japanese woman with permanent resident status.
On November 29, 2023, both he and the Japan Kurdish Culture Association had their assets in Turkey frozen by the Turkish government due to their association with the terrorist organization PKK/KCK[9]
Mehmet Çolak
Vakkas’s brother who had been detained in an immigration facility.
Featured in the documentary film “Tokyo Kurds.”
Ramazan Dursun
Former provisional releasee, currently on a special permission to stay in Japan with his brother as of 2023.[10]
Appeared alongside his uncle Mehmet in the documentary film “Tokyo Kurds.”
In 2023, he testified before the House of Councillors Legal Affairs Committee regarding the revision of the Immigration Control Act.[11]
Ozan Uçar
Also featured in “Tokyo Kurds.”
Arrived in Japan at the age of 6 with his father Yusuf, a supporter of the Kurdish armed forces.[12]
Has lived as an illegal immigrant since then.
Mehmet Yücel
President of Rojava Corporation, a demolition company in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture.
Represents the Japan Kurdish Cultural Association, whose assets in Turkey were frozen by the Turkish government on November 29, 2023, due to his affiliation with a terrorist organization.
Former Executive Director of the “Knowing Kurds Society,” which was established in Japan in 2003 to learn about and promote Kurdish culture and history.
Currently the President of the voluntary organization “Together with Kurds in Japan (HEVAL).” This organization operates independently from the Kurdish People’s Association and focuses on local activities.
Akinobu Kinoshita (木下顕伸)
Holds the position of Representative Director at the Japan Kurdish Friendship Association.
Mitsuhiro Kimura (木村三浩)
Serves as an Advisor for the Japan Kurdish Exchange Liaison Association.
Also known as a representative of Issui-kai, a right-wing Pan-Asianism group.
