Myanmar Soccer Player Gets Refugee Certification
A Myanmar soccer player has received a certificate of refugee status in Japan.
Pyae Lyan Aung visited the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau with his lawyer and supporters on Friday morning.
He thanked those who helped him, as well as Japan's people and government.
Japan's Immigration Services Agency earlier this month determined that the player should be given the status under the UN Refugee Convention.
Pyae Lyan Aung came to Japan as a member of Myanmar's national soccer team to play in a World Cup qualifier against Japan in May. Before the match, he flashed a three-finger salute to protest Myanmar's military coup.
He refused to return to the country with his teammates in June, fearing persecution at home, and applied for asylum in Japan.