Japan has become the first country in Asia to allow the permanent resettlement of refugees, opening its doors to several families from Myanmar.
So far only five Asian countries -- China, Cambodia, the Philippines, East Timor and Japan -- have signed the UN Refugee Convention.
The UNHCR says there were nearly nine million refugees around the world last year, with more than a quarter of them in the Asia-Pacific.
This year Japan has opened its doors to several families from Myanmar, but settling into the country has its difficulties.
Al Jazeera's Steve Chao reports from Tokyo. (Oct 16, 2010)
