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Japan's coronavirus entry ban disrupting lives of foreign residents

66 Comments
By Ryotaro Nakamaru

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66 Comments

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Hardly surprising. We has japan ever treated its non Japanese residents the same?

18 ( +25 / -7 )

This really is a problem.

If I take my kids to my home country to see their grandparents, my kids will have no problem re-entering Japan but I'll be stopped, despite being a permanent resident who has lived here for almost two decades.

If it was a short term measure I could maybe handle it. But its the lack of certainty that bothers me. Even f they lift the entry ban and I take my kids on that trip, I'll still have to worry that if there is a sudden second wave or something they'll just re-impose it and bar me from re-entering.

This isn't a small consideration - if I get shut out, I lose my job. If I lose my job, I will default on my home loan and we'll lose our house. Its just not a risk anybody can take and if this risk is going to last for a couple of years I'm worried my kids might not get another chance to see their grandparents (both elderly and with health issues) again.

25 ( +27 / -2 )

Japan is shooting itself in the foot preventing those with visas back into Japan. People will lose jobs, families broken up etc. Doesn’t make Japan look like a good prospect when talented people are looking to work abroad. I would not recommend Japan to anyone with skills hoping to spend some time abroad.

24 ( +27 / -3 )

If Japan is trying to sabotage its economy by doing stuff like this, then I guess they will succeed. While foreigners really don't make up a huge percent of the country's population, Japan will need every body it can get to prevent its economy from going under. Institutional racism at its finest right here.

19 ( +24 / -5 )

I don't agree that this is a human rights issue. But I do believe there is neither any sound basis nor benefit to Japan, to treat non-Japanese with valid long-term immigration status differently from Japanese nationals with respect to entry into Japan. A great many people and families are put into untenable positions because of ths policy. Before any lawyer arguing human rights, I would like to see a lawyer challenge this policy as it contradicts the very purpose of long-term visa status'. Of course, Japan is not unique in such arbitrary policies. A United States Permaent Resident Status (green card) valid for 10 years can become invalid if the holder remains outside the US for over 1 year. I know a few such people who are unable to return due to COVID19 restrictions. This COVID19 has created a mess of problems that did not exist before for many people.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Irrational and racist. Japanese bureaucracy Doing what it does best.

10 ( +17 / -7 )

I am one such affected father and spouse to Japanese nationals and my wife is struggling to care for two very genki 4 and 2 y/os as well as a health care worker handling covid-19 patients. I am so grateful to her but I feel a so helpless video call papa. The stringent restrictions here https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html make it impossible to get into Japan because:

"foreigners (including those from the countries and regions where the entry bans do not apply) who will arrive in Japan with a flight via any of those 111 countries or regions which are subject to denial of permission to entry, with a purpose of refueling or transit, will also be denied to enter Japan in principle. This will apply regardless of whether they have entered those countries or regions or not. Foreigners from the countries and regions, where visa restrictions (suspension of visa validity or suspension of visa exemption measures) do not apply, will also be subject to entry bans if transiting through the 111 countries or regions."

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Is there a date when this ban is supposed to end?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The ""thinking"" that goes on behind the scenes where this stuff gets decided would be scary to witness I bet..... I mean how on earth can they get this stuff so horribly WRONG.

After almost 30yrs here I have always known that to govt etc us long termers are just tolerated as we are useful, but this is some real cold $%# going down now!

I suspect there will be foreigners & their J-spouses who will end up leaving these isles because of this poor treatment.

I really would love to see Japan get at least some things right or even better but the govt seems determined to mess things up at almost every opportunity.

Any people overseas thinking of coming to Japan to work etc should seriously re-consider, its getting bad in so many ways, getting pretty grim here sadly

17 ( +19 / -2 )

If you were ever in any doubt as to your real status here, permanent resident or not, this should be a wake-up call...We are surplus to needs.

Very true, pretty much all expats in Japan are considered temporary guests who are expected to leave at some point. Expats are the butt of jokes to Japanese, usually perform the most menial and denigrating unskilled labour, get paid less, and won't ever really be fully accepted and respected in society.

Leaving Japan is obviously an option but I doubt any expats want to return to their home countries after seeing how badly the virus has ravaged the developed world. Safety in these times will be a premium so I'd say embarrassed expats will stay in Japan despite their daily bitterness.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Hearing a lot of accusations of "systemic racism" in Japan. I wonder, will the supposedly oppressed non-Japanese minority protest their rights and dignity like in the US, or will they sacrifice their pride and dignity and meekly endure? I don't ever recall hearing about a protest like that before..

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

I wonder, will the supposedly oppressed non-Japanese minority protest their rights and dignity like in the US, or will they sacrifice their pride and dignity and meekly endure?

Simple. They'll protest their rights by a) Leaving, or b) not coming in the first place.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Simple. They'll protest their rights by a) Leaving, or b) not coming in the first place.

Meeker than the protesters in America then. Presumably because things aren't nearly as bad as over there.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Meeker than the protesters in America then. Presumably because things aren't nearly as bad as over there.

Is anyone here besides you trying to compare this to the US situation? I don't think so. That doesn't mean it's not racist.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Is anyone here besides you trying to compare this to the US situation? I don't think so. That doesn't mean it's not racist.

I'm not saying it's not racist or anything like that, and not trying to draw parallels to the US situation, but wanted to know the mood around this problem. Like, would it be something that may turn to open protest at some point, etc. Anyway, never mind.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

I'm not saying it's not racist or anything like that, and not trying to draw parallels to the US situation, but wanted to know the mood around this problem. Like, would it be something that may turn to open protest at some point, etc. Anyway, never mind.

Ah, ok then. I don't expect to see riots. But speaking for myself, as a long termer, with PR status, this stinks and is pushing me ever closer to calling it a day here and heading elsewhere. Taking my tax dollars with me.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I wonder, will the supposedly oppressed non-Japanese minority protest their rights and dignity like in the US

And how's that going for them?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Hearing a lot of accusations of "systemic racism" in Japan.

I hear it too. Generally from bitter folks who came here with the wrong expectations. If it wasn't obvious by the last few weeks, systemic racism is not exclusive to Japan.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

The travel ban isn't racist because it applies to all races including other Asians

Sorry zichi, but unless it also applies to Japanese, it is racist.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Is there anyway for folks affected to pool their resources together and sue the Japanese government to allow tax paying visa holders back in?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I am appaled at some of the comments. This is STILL a serious and deadly public health issue and many countries, Britain and the U.S. to name a few, have not been able to slow the infection rates and deaths, so they are a serious danger to countries that HAVE managed this pandemic better, like Japan.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Ha ha and to think japan wanted to attract skilled foreigners to rescue their rapidly sinking economy! The Ghosn affair and this appalling entry ban policy have put paid to that for ever.

This entry ban policy has opened everybody's eyes to the fact that the PR is worthless, no better than a tourist visa. I think that it is all or nothing. Get Japanese Nationality if you really want to stay or get out as soon a possible.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

@zichi. Why wouldn’t you and your wife ‘qualify’ to live in the U.K. You can, if you are a citizen. If you meet the income and accommodation requirements your wife can get a visa. I agree, it’s much more difficult to get a spouse visa in the U.K. than Japan, but not impossible. Citizenship, after meeting the necessary criteria, is easier than naturalising as Japanese.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@zichi

How can that be? Same bans were put in place by many countries such as America and the UK. Are they racist too?

I think you'll find the bans in other countries, like the US and UK do not apply to legal residents of the country. That is the difference and that is what makes the Japan policy racist where other countries are not. We're not talking about tourists or business travelers here. We are talking about people being refused entry to to their home, where they have jobs and families and pay their taxes just like the naturally born citizens.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Same treatment is necessary.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@OssanAmerica,

"A United States Permaent Resident Status (green card) valid for 10 years can become invalid if the holder remains outside the US for over 1 year. "

An Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK will be lost if the foreign holder spends a period of 2 years and 1 minute outside of the country.

So much for Japan being "racist" in this regards, as some are claiming.

Other than than, agree totally with the gist of your post.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

You don't need any type of visa for the UK. Just come across the English Channel from France in a dingy as hundreds are doing every week. The British Navy will escort you into a safe harbour, You will be given a house and money and allowed to stay. Simples!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

@zichi

From the US embassy website:

"I’m a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and I’m currently outside the United States. What should I do?

As explained above, the travel restriction does not apply to legal permanent residents."

I'm quite certain if I bothered to look at the UK embassy I'd find a similar statement. OssanAmerica is pointing out a policy that was in place well before covid. It is not a policy response to the covid situation.

How is Japan being racist by banning other Asians from entering the country

So you think a Japanese person discriminating against a Chinese person (or vice versa) is not racism because they are both Asian? That is a very narrow view of racism. It is generally accepted that discriminating against people of other nationalities is considered racism.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I wonder if there are any other country that denied/deny entry for foreign permanent residents? In most countries they have been allowed to return even though borders are closed for foreigners.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

ossaanamerica why don't you take a trip home and see what happens? Assuming you aren't japanese, anyway.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

zichi what is it called when there is discrimination of others based on nationality?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@zichi

Fine, let's not get hung up on definitions. It is discrimination pure and simple and has no logical basis. Other countries let people return to their country of residence, Japan does not.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Been here 40 years never crossed my mind applying for Japanese citizenship when I am always reminded with questions like where are you from, when are you going back that is too say you are not expected to stay here indefinitely.

One thing is certain, the shin gaikokujin are preferable.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

@doggar

zichi what is it called when there is discrimination of others based on nationality?

Technically I believe it is called "National-origin discrimination", but I think most people just think of it as racism. No matter how you cut it, discrimination of any form is the same thing by a different name.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Online petition to get the government to change their racist ways:

https://www.change.org/p/%E5%86%85%E9%96%A3%E7%B7%8F%E7%90%86%E5%A4%A7%E8%87%A3-%E5%AE%89%E5%80%8D%E6%99%8B%E4%B8%89-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%AB%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB%E5%9F%BA%E7%9B%A4%E3%82%92%E7%BD%AE%E3%81%84%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%82%8B%E4%B8%AD%E9%95%B7%E6%9C%9F%E6%BB%9E%E5%9C%A8%E3%81%AE%E5%A4%96%E5%9B%BD%E4%BA%BA%E4%B8%80%E5%BE%8B%E5%85%A5%E5%9B%BD%E6%8B%92%E5%90%A6%E3%82%92%E8%A6%8B%E7%9B%B4%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E3%81%8F%E3%81%A0%E3%81%95%E3%81%84?recruiter=1094515521&recruited_by_id=2eb7c3a0-a07e-11ea-9227-657c41bf6812&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard

4 ( +5 / -1 )

It is racist, pure and simple. I have a Japanese friend coming back from Canada at the end of this month and she has been informed that she SHOULD (there is no "must") quarantine at a hotel for two weeks and avoid public transportation after getting back, so it is clearly not a safety issue. The only reason for banning people from those nations, therefore, is simply because they are not Japanese, which is, as I said, racist. Well done, Japan. And yet, in the same breath they talk about prepping for the Olympics next year and how they want to welcome back foreign travelers for the industry as soon as possible, how they have unique social skills and an omotenasu culture despite the pandemic, etc. Not very good Mindo if you ask me.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

This is why I left Japan a few years ago after 25 years of living there.

Same for me, Peter.

what is it called when there is discrimination of others based on nationality?

They call it the "wa", quiet order or something like that.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Pay taxes. Check

Pay pension. Check

Permanent residency visa. Check

Japanese family. Check

When are you going home Gaijinsan? How long are you staying?

Check.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

There has been a paucity of information given out to foreign residents in Japan about reentry issues. This is June and this the first time (as far as I know) that the Japanese government has publicly said that permanent residents cannot, unlike Japanese, return from a country that has been put under a ban. The first I read about this was on the previous day in the JT.

And we knew we had a pandemic in March.

Next, we hear that we PR can be allowed back from banned countries for "humanitarian" reasons. What this means is unclear. I would think that having your whole life in Japan would be a "humanitarian" reason enough. But apparently not.

My intuition told mr that, knowing the Japanese government, I would be shafted if I wen to my home country. I won't be going for a long time after the "all clear" just in case.

Frankly, more and better information would have saved NRs and their families a lot of grief.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

This is poor form by the Japanese govt. Discriminatory and amoral. Keeping loved ones apart, keeping some families on the breadline as the main bread winner is being kept from working. People losing jobs, apartments, etc.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

According to https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html, it shows visa's are suspended until the end of June, but obviously that could also change again.

Once they can give a definitive date then i hope i can plan my holiday again.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Permenant residents should be treated the same end of story.

If you are overseas you should be allowed back in.

If you have a family emergency you should be allowed to come back.

Its highly unlikely people are travelling for fun at the moment.

The Japanese government is full of grey, self rightous, overpaid pencil pushes much like every government.

But I don't think this is racism just stupidity and a need to look like action is being taken much like not having lifeguards at the beach.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I am a US citizen, married to Japan national, living in Tottori, have a permanent resident card. Our daughter passed away back in the USA on Easter Sunday. We were unable to go to her burial or to see our other children/family at that time, and continue to be unable to go, for fear of not being able to re-enter Japan. As small business owners, we are contributing to the economy of our already declining region, and yet, because of unfounded and outrageous restrictions, are unable to travel for a dire family circumstance. It's time for these restrictions to end, as the science and data no longer backs them up.

Japan is facing tremendous population loss over the next two decades. If they continue to treat foreigners living here legally and contributing greatly to this society, there will be dire consequences, I'm afraid.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"I'm quite certain if I bothered to look at the UK embassy I'd find a similar statement"

I'm gonna save you the bother.

!You may be refused permission to enter the UK (if you are not a British citizen),"

"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk"

In plain English:

Foreigners do not have a right of unfettered entry, as they may be refused entry.

Unlikely but legally doable.

Requirements for such refusal are another matter.

But they can be refused.

British people cannot, under no circumstances be barred from entering the UK.

Simples.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Who are these residents going off to their home country for 6+ months at a time? Two of these examples went home for Christmas. It's May. I went home for Christmas too, and I was back by New Year. You can't be gone for 6 months and complain about situation. Come back within a reasonable timeframe, or be patient and wait it out -- Like a Japanese person would.

And who's this American who "Just wants to come back and be with her family so badly!" But not badly enough to have come back 3 months ago when warning signs of travel restrictions were flashing everywhere. We're only 6 months into a global pandemic that's shut down the entire planet. Who possibly could have seen, When cities were locking down, Global warnings were being issued, and flights were being restricted, that 4 months later, flights would be restricted? Totally just out of nowhere right? Nobody could have had a bit of foresight and planned accordingly or anything. What a shame the Japanese government doesn't give 8 months of warning before they implement emergency measures. Tsk Tsk Tsk Tyranny amirite?

Regarding Taxes, Residency is a privilege granted to you by the Japanese government (and Japanese population). Taxes are a way to upkeep said residency privilege. Taxes don't grant you extra rights. Be grateful you're allowed to pay them and legally reside here.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

"Regarding Taxes, Residency is a privilege granted to you by the Japanese government (and Japanese population). Taxes are a way to upkeep said residency privilege. Taxes don't grant you extra rights. Be grateful you're allowed to pay them and legally reside here."

Correct.

Many of those moaning think that the old maxim "No taxation without representation" is extensive and applicable to foreigners in someone else's land.

Many don't know that Americans were British subjects who rebelled against the taxation system introduced by the mother country, i.e. Britain.

Hence the "strange" belief that this same right is extensive to foreigners anywhere in the World, just because they have to pay taxes.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Who are these residents going off to their home country for 6+ months at a time?

My friend, who left to be with his dying mother right as covid was kicking in, but has a business to get back to and run before it collapses, destroying his income for his family and employees.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Thoma Goodtime: Japanese people are wonderful. The Japanese government is awful.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why hasn't Taiwan been given permission to enter Japan???

This country has had extremely good success at keeping COVID-19 out of it's borders better than some of the other 4 countries being considered (Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand). Except for Vietnam.

Doesn't Japan want to promote SAFE tourism to the country?

Why not consider one of it's closest countries.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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