The broader issue of Japan’s asylum and refugee policy, together with its implementation, remains to be addressed. In addition there needs to be a greater awareness on the part of the Japanese government that these issues should be seen within the framework of international law and that as a signatory to international refugee and human rights instruments it has a duty to observe the requirements placed upon it. Japan has so far failed adequately to respond to critical reports published by international bodies. Acting upon the requirement fully to observe its obligations under international law would result in Japan providing and securing the protection guaranteed to asylum seekers and refugees under international refugee and human rights standards. The deportation of two UNHCR mandated refugees in January 2005 demonstrates that Japan needs to understand the extent of these obligations. Likewise the dispatch of the Turkey delegation showed a misunderstanding of the need to observe principles of confidentiality as well as a failure to consider the wider implications of their actions with regard to the families of asylum seekers who might be at risk.