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Japan's re-entry ban to contain virus unfair, Western business lobbies say

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By Rocky Swift

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Antiquesaving

@2020hindsights

Are you new to Japan?

Only 20 years.

any changes to the construction is not a safe thing.

Why? You really have to think outside of the box.

Note that several countries during covid repatriation of their citizens did not repatriated non citizen spouses this included PR.

They are just as bad. Thankfully they are in the minority.

If PR hand the same rights here or any other country then what would be the point of becoming a citizen.

They are separate things and their reasons for existence are different. I would have thought that was obvious because the two different classifications exist.

Thankfully, Japan has come to its senses and granted the same rights to visa holders.

How many here complaining are actually going to do it?

Again, think more broadly. Imagine you have a business and a wife and children in Japan and now can't return because you are a permanent resident. I think that would warrant complaining.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

For argument sake lets say Japan adopts the same travel rules as most western countries, that us we can travel but in return need to self isolate.

How many here complaining are actually going to do it?

Example of a trip to Canada would need 2 weeks self isolation on arriving, then upon returning to Japan you would need to self isolate for 2 weeks.

So you have 4 weeks to waste and that much money?

As I said only people complaining are those with to much time on their hands and to much money.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@2020hindsights

Are you new to Japan?

Anyone that has been in Japan for any reasonable time, anyone that knows anything about Japan's history knows why the government opposition, most if the population do not want to give the government more power and any changes to the construction is not a safe thing.

Note that several countries during covid repatriation of their citizens did not repatriated non citizen spouses this included PR.

The reasons varied but legal issues top the list.

Again if one wants the same rights and treatment as a citizen then get citizenship.

If PR hand the same rights here or any other country then what would be the point of becoming a citizen.

And again look at who is complaining, the rich western privileged countries, the only people that can afford to pay for and waste 2 weeks in isolation just to go visit family

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Those complaining are just doing so because they want to complain.

No Japanese is actually going to travel and return in any reasonable time frame.

Most destinations require 2 weeks self isolation a long and expensive procedure just for vacation.

Any non Japanese going back to see family in most cases will also need to self isolate for 2 weeks.

Canada has already spent $37million CND on hotels etc... on 3200 returning Canadians that were unable to provide proper self isolation plans to conform to requirements this is paid by Canadian Tax payers.

So unless people complaining here plan on a very long vacation, mooching of tax payers to self isolate, pay for their own self isolation, break the rules and not self isolate or have family willing to also be isolated for 2 weeks once you arrive, few if any complaining are actually going to leave Japan

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Antiquesaving

Oh right the UK CAN impose mandatory self isolation.

Japan cannot and despite the foreign experts here the Japanese government has made that very clear. It does not have the legal right to impose such a thing.

So why don't they change the constitution? It certainly makes sense to.

We know for a facts EU countries, UK, Canada, Australia, USA all brought Covid infected citizens back to their respective country.

Would they do the same for a non citizen?

Yep. If your spouse is a citizen or if you are a resident. Makes sense, doesn't it. Everybody still has to go through 2 week quarantine, which is where they can stop Covid from entering the country.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Antiquesaving, I know I probably shouldn't get drawn into this, but could you provide citations or references when you make claims as to facts. For example, this is a link to all the judicial review cases for the Japanese Supreme Court:

https://rb.gy/hhw7jj

As far as I can see, none of these deal with freedom of entry by citizens, quarantines, lockdowns or other restrictions of this nature. Furthermore, while it is true that the executive branch of the Japanese government (i.e. Abe in his capacity as prime minister) does not have legal authority to impose these restrictions prima facie, the constitution specifically empowers the legislature (i.e. the Diet) to enact law or make orders which would allow that action, provided it is in the overriding interest of the public welfare. I also believe that neither Abe or Koike have made any blanket statement directly about constitutionality; that was introduced into the discourse by third parties. And of course, there are all sorts of politics behind this, better explained here:

https://www.tokyoreview.net/2020/05/covid-19-collective-action-and-japans-constitution/

Again, the whole ethical issue of whether its right, as well as questions of efficacy are another issue. I am just pointing out that on this specific issue it appears otherwise.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@wtfjapan

As I figure you did not point out the reason the journalist was refused a passport.

He had on 2 previous occasions violated the passport law by entering a country his was barred from entering.

So he broke the law twice and for that reason he can be refused a passport.

Facts are important, and again Japan cannot refuse to issue a passport to its citizens unless there are some very specific reasons and those are usually very serious legal reasons.

Basically having previously violated the passport laws.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Rosalind Harris

First sorry my last comment was for@Sailor Saki

But I looked up what Australia is doing.

You are half correct.

Australia is stopping Australian citizens from leaving but it seems by international agreements and the law unless being charged with a crime Australia cannot stop non citizens from leaving.

So apparently this is becoming a problem, permanent residents can leave and under the return policy can return as long as they self isolate.

Seems that Australian citizens have less rights than non citizens under this system.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Letting Japanese citizens go on overseas vacations during a global pandemic is ridiculous.

Then you should also criticize the countries that accept them. They can't really go on vacations without destinations.

Australia is letting citizens, residents and long-term visa holders return to Australia, but not letting anyone leave the country without special permission. This is sensible.

Japan does not let residents leave and return without special permission, this is also sensible, no?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Rosalind Harris

What is racist about it.

If a non ethic Japanese citizen wants to leave and return no problem.

No racism involved.

When Canada and others evacuated the citizens from Japan during both the Tohoku earthquake and Covid they did not evacuate their non Citizen spouses.

Citizenship and PR not the same

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

@Rosalind Harris

Despite what some here keep claiming.

The Japanese government has clearly said it does not have the power or right to stop citizens from leaving or returning the supreme Court made that very clear quite a few years ago.

That is also why the government could not make stay at home mandatory or force businesses to close or force quarantine.

So the Australian model is not possible.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Australia is letting citizens, residents and long-term visa holders return to Australia, but not letting anyone leave the country without special permission. This is sensible.

Letting Japanese citizens go on overseas vacations during a global pandemic is ridiculous. Especially when Japan's testing and quarantine is so lax compared to other countries.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

But that will not solve the problem of foreign residents that want to come back now.

Permanent residents can leave and come back but only under certain conditions.

So the lobby must lobby to expand those conditions I think

Crying racism and discrimination will not solve it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Well maybe they should.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It is plain and simple Racists and Discrimination. Maybe Europe should ban Japanese from entering ?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Actually I'm not sure what the problem is.

Permanent residents are allowed to come back.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

So what's the problem. Live with it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

"PR us not citizen

Want the same as Japanese then all people have to do is apply for citizenship."

You're wasting your time.

You might as well talk to brick wall(s).

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Japan cannot stop it's citizens from leaving or returning

actually they can , they just will refuse to issue a passport or void it, they did exactly this to a Japanese reporter who was captured for ransom, when he came back he wanted to leave again so the denied his passport. this is a human rights issue, permanent residents of Japan with Japanese family in Japan are refused purely on their country of birth, while Japanese returning home with the same family are allowed, if theyre tested and self quarantine.

The issue is to provide proof to J authorities that you are virus free, why cant PR be tested locked away in a hotel for two weeks to pass quarantine requirements.. There needs to be a clear set of procedures for Japanese and foreign PR to be eligible to return to Japan, barring one group but not the other is pure discrimination

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Here is a question.

We know for a facts EU countries, UK, Canada, Australia, USA all brought Covid infected citizens back to their respective country.

Would they do the same for a non citizen?

I know for a fact that Canada didn't it brought back Canadian citizens but left behind their spouses even those with residency,

Though later those PR spouses could go to Canada they had to figure their own way there.

This points out the difference between PR and citizens.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

O.K but this is abt live or die. Please people which do u choose ???.The counties that want in , take their own citizens that contacted Corona V while in Japan into their own embassies ???. PLEASE decide !?.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Barto

Did you even read the article?

Tittle:

Japan's re-entry ban to contain virus unfair, Western business lobbies say

From the article:

The joint letter was signed by business lobbies from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe. The U.S. and European groups had issued previous complaints about the policy.

So see South Korea, China etc...?

No only rich countries business lobbies.

As for EU in not a country I was quoting the article.

But had you read it you would have known that.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

@kurisupisu

Do people understand the difference between PR and citizens?

No country offers the same rights to PR as they do to citizens.

No please no false xyz does if they did then what would be the point of getting citizenship.

I previously pointed out my brother-in-law's parents.

Nearly 50 as landed immigrants in Canada never bothered getting citizenship until one day they realised certain things were not available to them despite have lived in, paid taxes, pension, etc... for nearly 50 years.

They finally did get it done got citizenship but this is not unique to Canada or Japan.

Citizenship brings with it extras that will never be available to PR in Japan, Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, NZ, etc...

PR us not citizen

Want the same as Japanese then all people have to do is apply for citizenship.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Even I work in this Japanese company for many many years, even I am a resident in japan for many many years....Japan will never accept me as a “full” resident.

This cruel truth has many residents extremely perplexed but Monty has written the truth and it is one that is very unpalatable for some but it is what it is...

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

@Tokyo-Engr

As I pointed out earlier, my aunt is terminally ill with cancer and not going to make it through the month.

Even if Japan didn't have any restrictions under the travel guide/rules laws quarantine if Canada it would take me 4 weeks to get to her .

Canada is saying this may go on for 2 to 3 years.

So Japan us the least of the problem

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Antiquesaving

My friend (acquaintance as we are not really close) traveled to visit his mother who had her 90th birthday. Their family indicated that it would probably be her last birthday (she has colon cancer). I do not know all details as to how they made this decision.

Personally I would not think about travelling now either. For me (and my 100% Japanese wife) this is not the issue. The issue is that as a Permanent Resident here married to a Japanese this policy is unreasonable.

As you can see in an earlier post I made here I suggested Japan should (if the will continue with this policy) stop offering Permanent Resident Status to foreigners. We foreigners (and most of our spouses) now understand this "Eijuken" is not meaningful.

I a not rich and I do care about others; I only hope I can visit my parents for Christmas (also approaching 90) and also if I hear my parents are very ill I hope to see them before they die (not after).

This is a simple request and not selfish in my opinion.

Many of us like Japan very much and recognize the good points you have pointed out here. However there is no common sense to this policy, no technical or scientific reason for it, and it obviously has a very negative impact on how the world views Japan.

In the past the best ambassadors for Japan were foreign residents returning to the home countries. This one single decision and bad policy has completely reversed that.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

First sorry about your friend but I have to ask why were they traveling outside Japan during a pandemic?

Once the Cruise ship happened anyone could see what was coming and at that time it was get back here fast and don't leave if you are here.

I and most if my non Japanese friends figured this out long before the ban.

I have very few western friends here in Japan most non Japanese friends are from other Asian countries and because I am a Francophone many are from French speaking African countries.

Not one would even think about traveling now and they cannot understand the westerners complaining about not being able to Return asking the simple question. Why would anyone travel during a pandemic?

If anyone can give a logical reason other than a possible family emergency but then even in such a case most countries required 2 weeks quarantine so wouldn't get there in time anyway.

Only people that have a problem with this are rich and don't care about others and are will to risk spreading the virus just because they feel they should have the right to do so.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Antiquesaving

It is obvious we will never agree on this issue.

I have not called Japan Xenophoic or Racist. I have merely stated I disagree with the policies. My wife, her parents (all pure Yamato) all of my employees and my best friend (very conservative and a supporter of Abe in most cases) all believe this restriction is wrong for Permanent Residents.

My issue is I believe this will hurt Japan in the long run and most foreigners I know will never forget this.

You are right about some issues. For example the U.S. has imposed lockdowns with fines and penalties (these have not yet been constitutionally challenged yet). Japan has not done this and I agree with Japan on this issue. Nearly all long term foreign residents I know in Japan agree as well and have been abiding by the SOE requests. Additionally Japan cannot refuse Japanese re-entry into Japan.

My issue is that Abe said he wishes to attract "foreign talent" and the Government has stated they wish to increase FDI (one example is to make Osaka and Fukuoka international hubs for finance). If the Japanese Government really means this then they should not take this action for people who have committed themselves to Japan.

Finally the case of my acquaintance who was denied entry while his kids and wife were allowed into Japan was incomprehensible. Do you really believe this is OK? Is it really believable his wife and kids (pure Japanese and 1/2 Japanese) are less likely to spread the virus?

This is really bad public relations for Japan and as you said we are a very small minority which means there is much more to lose for Japan than there is to be gained. It is a very short sighed policy.

Finally I have a Korean employee. His wife is more than welcome to return to Korea with him (as long as they both follow the government's rules on isolating, etc.) but he cannot return to Japan.

I have no issue with the Japanese people but I do have an issue with the Government for enacting this cold hearted and senseless policy (as to 95% of the Japanese people i know)

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@Barto

This is Japan and it has the right to do what it wants.

Now how hard is that to understand.

If people want the same rights as citizens then they can get Japanese citizenship.

Other countries are imposing similar restrictions because they have and are imposing far more restrictive controls that affect everyone.

Forced isolation, restricting travel even inside the country,etc...

Japan hasn't and cannot.

I can legally go out at night with my wife for our nightly walk, something not permitted in parts of Australia and other countries that have imposed curfews.

So this tiny inconvenience is it that big a deal?

Japan has 1.6% of its population that are foreigners, the vast majority are Korean and Chinese who have lived here for decades and have few if any connections left in those countries and in most cases rarely if ever go.

Notice the list of complaining countries.

United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe.

Note not Korea not China not even one Asian country.

Just the same group of countries from where most complaining here are from perhaps 0.1% (if even that high) of the population of Japan.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Instead of criticizing us, they should adopt our polities. WE are the country with one of the lowest infection rate and death rate.

Let's talk about this later, on the other side of winter 2020/21.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@Tobias J Gibson

simply saying it is not a constitutional issue. The Japanese government is empowered to place such restrictions if it is in the public welfare

It may be challenged on constitutional grounds, but I suspect the court would side with the government.

Several articles here have pointed out the government doesn't have the power, the government has publicly said the same.

The supreme Court has already ruled on the issue and ruled against the government having the right to restrict movement even for the good of the majority.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

The we pay taxes thing and have PR so should have the same rights is strange

My best example is my brother-in-law in Canada.

His parents immigrated to Canada with landed immigrant status (basically PR) well over 50 years ago, for some odd reason they never went through the process of becoming a citizen.

Even their children were not aware of that fact until a few years ago when not being a citizen meant that certain services and other things were not available to them.

They did at that point finally go through the process and got citizenship so they could get the services.

They paid taxes in Canada, pension, health care, etc... But that does not equal having the same rights as a citizen, if it did what would be the point of getting citizenship.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

@Luddite

stupid to restrict entry based solely on passports, rather than the starting point of the trip.

Ok let's look at that.

Oh right the UK CAN impose mandatory self isolation.

Japan cannot and despite the foreign experts here the Japanese government has made that very clear. It does not have the legal right to impose such a thing.

So the country if origin would make no difference as most have far more cases far more deaths and would still be on a restricted list.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

@Antiquesaving. Not all countries require everyone entering to quarantine, most base the decision on where the person was travelling from. People entering the U.K. from Japan are not currently required to quarantine. That goes for everyone, not just U.K. citizens, as the rest of the world realises the virus isn’t aware of passports and citizenship. It’s patently stupid to restrict entry based solely on passports, rather than the starting point of the trip.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@didou

Foreign countries should simply do the same toward Japanese citizens

I suspect that would affect but a tiny handful of Japanese.

With all these same countries legally requiring people entering their countries to self isolate for 2 weeks under penalty of the law including possible jail.

I doubt very many Japanese are actually going to these countries.

Next I would guess the Japanese government would welcome such a move as at best it can only ask its citizens not to travel and cannot ban then, nor can it force them to self isolate on their return.

The government of Japan has repeatedly said it would like it's citizens not to leave or return until the pandemic is under control.

But again it does not have the legal power to stop them.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Antiquesaving, I think you misunderstood. Articles are the the provisions of the constitution, like the sections in a statute. I was asking where in the constitution it refers to what you claim.

I didn't actually make any assertion either way as to whether there should be restrictions quarantines, simply saying it is not a constitutional issue. The Japanese government is empowered to place such restrictions if it is in the public welfare. It may be challenged on constitutional grounds, but I suspect the court would side with the government.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@didou

Foreign countries should simply do the same toward Japanese citizens

============

They can and should, but this isn't a petty tit for tat game. Thousands people have died. in a global pandemic, personal freedom should not take precedence to the integrity of societies. Or you get whats going on in the US, Brazil, etc.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

This is for the greater good. Yes the citizens are allowed in, that's because they would otherwise be homeless.

I saw a news about a JP couple got stuck on an island in Europe after the outbreak, they couldn't leave nor work(for money), they ran out of money, husband found out a way to work for the locals in exchange for meals. Horrible time

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Imagine this.

I live in Tokyo, the nearest large supermarket is actually in Saitama.

I can drive their in just a few minutes.

Now my Aunt lives on the Quebec Ontario border on the Quebec side.

The nearest supermarket is a 10 minutes drive in Ontario.

The nearest one in Quebec is over 30 min.

She is elderly and does not like the longer drive.

Now here in Japan I can go to Saitama no problem.

But in Canada my aunt would have to self isolate for 2 weeks just to go to the supermarket 10 minutes from her house because it is in Ontario, then self isolate 2 more weeks on her return to Quebec.

Now tell me again how bad it is living in Japan.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

@Tobias J Gibson

Did I say it was in the article.

It has however been pointed out in many other articles including the one on the state of emergency and the fact that the government could not force businesses or people to stay home only request.

As for leaving and returning this was confirmed when the Japan red Army hijackers in NK decided they wanted passports and to return to Japan. The government tried denying them both and the supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.

Look those up.

But then you are in favour of the Japanese government having those powers.

I can just hear the outrage from the foreign community if it did.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Could you point to those articles in the Japanese constitution which either prevent mandatory quarantines or lockdowns for nationals?

The nearest I can find is article 13, which specifically includes a limitation for public welfare:

*All of the people shall be respected as individuals. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness shall, to the extent that it does not interfere with the public welfare, be the supreme consideration in legislation and in other governmental affairs*.

A wider reading, supported by constitutional scholars and historic acts, indicates that there is authority:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/04/14/commentary/japan-commentary/coronavirus-japans-constitution/

0 ( +3 / -3 )

So let me get this straight.

Many here are for the idea that the Japanese government should have the same power as the countries complaining.

This means the power to ban us from traveling even within Japan, the power to force us to remain locked in our homes, the power to stop everyone including citizens from leaving or returning, the power to impose self isolation.

All this power backed up by fines, or even jail.

Because most of the countries that are complaining not only have these powers but are using them on their citizens.

You all complain about the Japanese government imagine if they had such powers how much more you would complain.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

Ok I'm through.

Hopefully Japan can sort this out soon.

Good luck everyone

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Xenophobic, to be precise. We are not being discriminated against by race but by passport.

All countries have done and are doing that.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

@Mr Kipling

Why this has to be said again and again and again is strange.

Japan cannot stop it's citizens from leaving or returning, it cannot force people into self isolating, that is the construction imposed by the USA.

So all it can do to reduce the number of people leaving or entering is to block those it can and those are non citizens.

Racism has nothing to do with it if you are a citizen that is not ethics Japanese you can come and go as you please.

Would you be happier if like Canada, NZ, Australia the government had the power to lock you up in your home?

You would not be permitted to travel in or out anyway.

Or even travel to the next province or State.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Critical, but accurate, posts are not allowed. No dissention will be tolerated.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Banning the entry of non Japanese long term visa holders while allowing Japanese citizens to do the exact same thing is RACIST! No other explanation and no sugar coating needed.

Not really.

If you are a non-Japanese with a Japanese citizenship and they barred you from entering that would be racist.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

I think many people don't understand the purpose why people have to pay tax even in their home country or in a foreign country.

i dont have to pay taxes in my home country if im not a resident there, that is spending less than 6 month of the year there.

America is the exception

5 ( +9 / -4 )

So pointing out that a racist entry system is racist gets deleted by our dear moderators.

Banning the entry of non Japanese long term visa holders while allowing Japanese citizens to do the exact same thing is RACIST! No other explanation and no sugar coating needed.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

@daito_hak

The only reason that they are banning foreign residents from entering Japan from countries where Japanese nationals are allowed to go is xenophobia

No it is because under the Constitution the government cannot stop Japanese citizens from leaving or returning.

Blame the USA they wrote it.

It can however stop non citizens.

But on the other side of the coin the government cannot Lock foreigners or citizens in their homes for weeks even months like is being done in Australia and NZ.

How does that work, if lockdown is in place that means no one can travel, right?

So basically if a kiwi or Australian went home they would be stuck there until the lockdown is lifted.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

@Antiquesaving

@viking68

If you want the same rights then take citizenship.

That is exactly the point.

People want the same rights as a japanese citizen just by paying tax or paying rent.

That is impossible!

No country in the world is doing that.

I think many people don't understand the purpose why people have to pay tax even in their home country or in a foreign country.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

Banning foreign residents is xenophobic and discriminatory. Most Japanese do not know about the foreigner ban, many wouldn’t care anyway. On NHK news last night they had an item about the economy tanking but, they said, there is positive news! Apparently foreigners abroad said Japan is their number one dream tourism destination, but while crowing about this dubious statement the report failed to mention foreigners are banned from entering the country. It’s kafkaesque. If businesses leave it’s unlikely they will come back, the airlines certainly won’t be back in the numbers enjoyed during the tourism boom, and fewer and more expensive flights mean less tourism.

Japan is tarnishing what little reputation it had abroad; not a place for foreigners to live, work or do business. You are welcome only until your money or cheap labour is no longer required. The stench of xenophobia is overwhelming.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

@Viktor Cernatinskij

Really?

Think this way, most western countries not only banned travel they locked their citizens in their homes for months under threat if fines, even jail.

Japan's government has no such power.

So you think the Japanese should be upset about the travel restrictions on 1.6% of the population?

I figure they don't care and are happy their government doesn't have the power to lock them up for not wearing a mask.

My aunt is sick terminal cancer in Canada there is no point in my going not because I cannot return but because the only way I can get to where she is is to enter Canada in one province self isolate 2 weeks there then cross into the adjoining province self isolate there for 2 weeks then and only then can I go see here but by that time even the funeral will be over.

Then to return even if I could I have to cross back into the other province and self isolate for 2 weeks before I can go to take my flight.

Does anyone really think people are traveling under those conditions?

Does anyone really think Japanese are heading to NZ, Australia, UK, EU on vacation knowing they need 2 extra weeks just to self isolate.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The problem is discrimination, or rather, the lack of it, in this case.

Basically all foreigners who had set foot in countries and regions included in the entry ban are denied entry.

Rule doesn't discriminate whether foreigner is tourist or resident

2 ( +6 / -4 )

daito_hak wrote:

There is no excuse on what Japan is doing here, this is shameful, disgraceful and immoral. The only reason that they are banning foreign residents from entering Japan from countries where Japanese nationals are allowed to go is xenophobia. This is a disgusting political maneuver from the Japanese government to show its populations that it's doing something. There isn't a rational and scientific reason to do that for the so-called prevention against the virus since the protocol used for the Japanese nationals coming back to Japan could have been EQUALLY applied for the

Excellent post here,I couldn't have say it better,the problem is not the racism itself from the normal population,but the fear of something outside of their turf,the inability to communicate freely and without prejudice,unfortunately Japan's government is leaded by the same offspring that lead their country to completely closure and shut down to the world,and still they are trying their best to keep it this way.

If Japan is aiming to be at the same human rights level from western nations it needs to civilized it's rules and thinking.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Japan's re-entry ban to contain virus unfair, Western business lobbies say

Unfair it is a very nice way of saying...

This ban is cruel, stupid, idiotic, moronic, etc., etc.... To ban residents from returning home, to their families, children, to their work because they don't have a piece of cardboard naming them nihonjins is beyond stupid.

I am not surprised that the government enacted such idiotic bans... I am shocked that people in Japan don't protest, don't care... seems to me that people in Japan act like they are slaves... they listen and obey the government no matter how stupid the government governs....

That is a real omotenashi...

10 ( +12 / -2 )

@wtfjapan

Your own comment points out if one goes to those place they legally must quarantine.

Did the part about Japan not having the constructional power to do that is that difficult to understand?

Is the part that Japan's construction dies not permit stopping it's citizens from coming and going also difficult to understand.

I would guess if the Japanese government had those powers they would use them but the don't.

How many Japanese do you think are going to travel to NZ, etc...?

Vacation? 2 weeks in isolation on arriving then they can go out.

A Kiwi goes home they can self isolate at a family member's home then stay with family, far easier far cheaper.

Anyone really think any Japanese are traveling to places that require 2 weeks extra of expensive hotel costs in isolation.

As long as Japan does not have the power to impose self isolating backed up by legal action all it can do is reduce the number of people coming and going.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

The foreign-resident travel ban is really a shortsighted policy that will have a negative economic impact on Japan in the long term.

Perhaps the government wants to save money on PCR testing and quarantine by banning foreign residents, we don't know that for sure, but right now lots and lots of businesses are negatively affected.

Even the maintenance of the Shinkansen hinges upon the reentry of Australian technicians.

How are future foreigners (engineers, business people, etc) looking at Japan right now, knowing that the government can deny them entry at anytime simply because their nationality is considered a preexisting condition?

Perhaps a better policy would be for everyone (Japanese and foreign residents) to pay for quarantine after they travel more than a certain number of times so that people who really need to travel can factor that in.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

@viking68

If you want the same rights then take citizenship.

@wtfjapan

NZ, Australia, UK, Canada, most of the EU all have mandatory law unforced 2 week quarantine for all entering.

Canada one has to Quarantine just crossing each provincial borders.

Japan does not have the constructional right to do those things.

So any one returning cannot be forced self isolate like all the above countries do.

The same construction also does not give the government power to stop citizens from leaving or returning.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

So Japan's only option is to stop people they can from entering.Not that difficult to understand.

Actually it is NZ Korea for example have lower infection//deaths per capita than Japan

there are many nationals from those countries that have residency and family in Japan meaning their lives are currently in Japan. Japanese returning from those countries are allowed in as long as they test / quarantine but Japan permanent resident from those same countries cannot!? Foreigners in Japan have to follow Japanese laws just the same as Japanese do. Explain to me the science behind these policies Id really like to understand

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@Tokyo-Engr

@i@n

From what I understand the lobby is now trying to ensure Residents can leave and return and not force Japan to open its borders. I would not consider allowing a Permanent Resident to return to their home (although it seems Japan does not consider us to have a home here) as "opening the borders"

That's perfectly understandable given the article as it appears here on JT.

The article is written a little differently in other news sites.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Instead of criticizing us, they should adopt our polities. WE are the country with one of the lowest infection rate and death rate.

NZ has a lower infection and deaths per capita than Japan, Japanese returning from NZ can be tested and quarantine but gaijin cannot. Please explain to me the science behind Japan decision

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Better safe than sorry.

yet countries like Korea NZ Thailand all have lower infection deaths per capita than Japan And while Japanese returning from these same countries can be tested and quarantine when they return gaijin from those same countries cannot. Science is clearly not Japans guiding principle in these policy decisions. I cant wait to read the excuses.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

That’s so like Japan. They take a very hard and unfair line against foreigners. This is despite the fact that the spread of the virus at this time is totally domestic.

Is this true? No foreigners have been diagnosed with corona?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Funny, I have a "residence card" and am also a permanent resident. I own a home, wife and children are Japanese, pay taxes, and I have lived here and only here for over 15 years.

This policy is one of many absurd things that make me not want to live here. Usually, they are small pesky things, but this one is beyond pale.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Instead of criticizing us, they should adopt our polities. WE are the country with one of the lowest infection rate and death rate.

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

Here is a simple thing many just cannot seem to comprehend.

Japan is not the USA, not New Zealand, not the UK, not Canada, not add in country name.

So got it!

The construction if Japan does not provide the government of Japan the power to stop it's citizens from leaving or returning, it does not provide the government from imposing forced masks, forced lockdown, forced self isolating.

All these other countries with perhaps the exception of the USA by law requires all returning it entering do those things .

So Japan's only option is to stop people they can from entering.

Not that difficult to understand.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

@Asinine

It's time for us expats in Japan to show some spine for once and vote with our feet or withhold our taxes.

So which are you choosing? Tax avoidance or do you plan to leave?

There is no "feigning of surprise" for many. The law which allowed this to manifest actually came into effect on July 15, 2012. I am a long term resident and I would argue that the situation has actually become worse. I am speaking from personal experience and the experience of others.

I agree with parts of your post but there are other parts which are cold and callous. I would imagine you are very anxious to leave here soon. Many of us will have hard choices to make in the near future.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

If someone can explain to me this logic please: my Japanese friend, who lives in the US and has been for 5+ years, and I fly from LA to Narita. I am a US citizen but have PR status in Japan and a Japanese wife and child both with Japanese citizenship. My Japanese friend and I arrive at Narita and they tell my friend welcome and please come in but I have to go back to LA. There is no reason at all in this world that you could explain why this is ok. Is he any less likely to get Covid being Japanese, didn't we both just fly from the US???

9 ( +10 / -1 )

@Tokyo-Engr

Glad to hear some expats are putting their money where their mouths are and actually doing something about their situation instead of meekly submitting as is the norm. Regarding those with families or with established businesses, again that's a choice they made. Not to mention if they've been here for decades they would have made the personal choice to move to Japan back when the country was far more restrictive and xenophobic than it is today. To feign surprise at the situation today when they originally moved in a worse time is a non-starter and can be dismissed out of hand.

As I said, we're all here by choice, it is your choice to raise a child here who will likely be bullied throughout school and face lifetime discrimination professionally and socially. It is your choice to live in a country where the rules have been clearly clarified that you will never be equal to a citizen and could face a ban on re-entry at any time. If your work is more important to you than your dignity or your family, that's your choice and yours alone.

My point stands, no sympathy from me whatsoever when the expectations have been clearly laid out. Moving here in the first place is an explicit acceptance of those conditions and acceptance of the subsequent consequences. In the end, Japan is one of the few countries that doesn't give 2 Fs about the opinions of foreigners and that won't change. I've made my decision to leave because we only live once and I didn't want to live that one life as less than a citizen. If you do, that's on you.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Been too long.  Most countries taking this xenophobic view - look at the chaos in UK and Europe.

Don't necessarily agree with it, but no government wants to be accused of "importing" Covid.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I thank the business associations involved for doing this. It would be nice if the countries that host them could comment on it as well since it is affecting their citizens, but never mind.

Underlying xenophobia, here in the form of complete apathy to people's welfare, is no doubt at play here, but some of this is that they can't be bothered to increase testing at airports, isn't it? In fact, they can't be bothered to test anyone if they can help it.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

After reading all of this, perhaps the logical solution is for Japan to stop offering Permanent Residency (not a joke). The benefits which were extolled to me by the immigration office was that Permanent Residency shows confidence to lenders, landlords, etc. that a person is not likely to just take off and leave Japan. Now that this issue has come out it is obvious that the benefits of Permanent Residency no longer exist.

At the risk of families being separated it is also not wise for Japanese nationals to marry foreigners (I feel sorry for my wife in this regard). It seems it would be risky for both the Japanese spouse and the foreign spouse to make such a commitment.

The irony that this article appeared the same day as an article indicating Japan wishes to develop Osaka and Fukuoka as financial hubs is not lost on most.

As Mocheake stated above the two faced approach and double standard is quite clear to everyone at this point. For those here with issues about foreigners the bright side is that there will be less of us here in the future.

17 ( +18 / -1 )

@Steve Morgan - How many will take the vaccine?? Not me!!

> @Monty - I will ! Because I want to go back to my normal life ASAP

Sorry Monty! Even with an effective and reliable vaccine life will never be normal again.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

The government's inherent racism rears its ugly head once again. You can live here but you'll always be considered and treated like an outsider. Next year, though, when the postponed Olympics are scheduled to be held, the chameleons will act like they welcome everyone with open arms. Good on the lobbies to shed some light on their double standard.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Japan is doing what they have determined is best for themselves. If you don’t like it become a naturalized citizen and complain to your member of parliament.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

@Monty

Because the 98-99% are Japanese People, mostly born here WITH a japanese nationality!

Japanese Nationality is the key word.

We all understand the legal basis on which foreign residents are being excluded. Nobody is saying that it is illegal. What I'm saying is that it is:

Utterly ineffective in controlling the spread of the virus, if Japanese people are still going in and out of the country. In other words THERE IS NO POINT TO IT from a disease control perspective;

Unnecessarily spiteful in the way that it was enacted. They literally stranded people overseas;

Damaging to Japan's reputation in the international community, and contrary to developed country norms;

Downright immoral, given all of the above.

Yes, Japan has the legal right to do this, but it doesn't make it right.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

I agree in some points what you are saying,

Ok we are making progress here.

but you should understand that Japan is NOT Europe or USA or whatever!

That's not about Japan being Europe or US. That's about mutual respect and reciprocity. I am repeating myself but Japanese residents in EU countries are not discriminated in that way so equally foreign residents in Japan shouldn't be.

> We foreigners have 2 options, accept that situation, or leave Japan and move to another country where we think we will get treated in a better way.

No this is not true. You don't really answer to my points and somehow just come up with a shoganai attitude. Again Japan is benefiting from us being here and since it has also by itself encouraged foreign people to come to live and work in here, it has the duties to treat them equally and fairly.

In Japan, a foreigner will never ever be accepted as a full resident! Never!

That does not help anything to say that since you are just giving them a free pass. And again, foreign residents are equally treated with respect to Japanese nationals when it comes to tax so the statement above is by definition flawed. Or we should just all agree that Japan is hypocrite and opportunist.

18 ( +21 / -3 )

Well if you want to stay in Japan get a Japanese passport and secretly keep your foreign passport. This is the route I am taking now. As for reciprocity, of course all countries must immediately ban Japanese from entering their countries.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Foreign countries should simply do the same toward Japanese citizens. That’s called reciprocity. In that case, Japan would be upset and could change its policy.

Yeah stoop to Japan's level, that'll show em!

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

@daito hak

And again moreover since Japanese residents in EU countries are not exposed to the same discrimination

Don’t misunderstand me...I agree in some points what you are saying, but you should understand that Japan is NOT Europe or USA or whatever!

In Japan, a foreigner will never ever be accepted as a full resident! Never!

That reflects in many situations in Japan where you are or where you go.

And that reflects also in this situation about the entry ban for foreign residents.

I don’t talk about fairness or not, especially I am also hit by that entry ban too. (You can read that in my other posts).

But that is Japan! That is how Japan works!

I will tell you an example:

At my work, my boss asked me and my Japanese coworker for an opinion about a special topic.

I mentioned to my boss my opinion and my thoughts.

His answer was, “Yeah Monty san...your opinion is so so.”

Then my Japanese coworker mentioned his opinion to my boss.

My Japanese coworker said exactly the same thing that I said.

You know what my boss said?

"Wow! That is an awesome opinion, let’s implement that."

You understand what I mean?

Even I work in this Japanese company for many many years, even I am a resident in japan for many many years....Japan will never accept me as a “full” resident.

As a full member of their community.

We foreigners have 2 options, accept that situation, or leave Japan and move to another country where we think we will get treated in a better way.

-16 ( +7 / -23 )

@Asinine

You are correct many expats are leaving or have left. However some are married to Japanese, have businesses which are well established, etc.

Not everyone is in the same situation and not everyone can just get up and leave.

What would you suggest those with families here and have their children in Japanese school do? Should they pack up and leave immediately?

What you state is not so simple.

22 ( +22 / -0 )

Foreign countries should simply do the same toward Japanese citizens. That’s called reciprocity. In that case, Japan would be upset and could change its policy.

Japan now just shows the world its true face.

I remember that in February when corona cases appeared in Japan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Motegi, was strongly protesting when Japanese citizens were put on a entry ban list by some countries.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

I guess we can THANK the J-govt for one thing though, NOW we all know EXACTLY WHERE we stand as ""residents"" of Japan

Yep, Japan sets the rules in Japan and the rules have been clarified for everyone. Now what will you do from here? Accept your status as a temporary visitor forever with no rights and whinge online all day long, or will you do something about it? As others have posted, a lot of brave expats are apparently making the decision to head back home even after living here for decades as their situation is no longer tenable or bearable. Are we supposed to feel sympathy for those who can't be bothered to take action to improve their apparently dismal situation? Remember we're all here by choice, so you've chosen to live like this.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

Monty & others,

No one is talking about FULLY opening travel to\from Japan!!!

This is about foreign RESIDENTS, stranded outside Japan because of dumb, discriminatory J-policies!!!

These people just want to come HOME!!

I guess we can THANK the J-govt for one thing though, NOW we all know EXACTLY WHERE we stand as ""residents"" of Japan. I always thought PR was a good thing, now I see it actually has little meaning at all....Japan shoots itself in the foot once again, I shouldnt be surprised but sadly I am!

22 ( +22 / -0 )

We have one of the lowest infection/death rates in the world

That's not accurate, check your sources (try the Wikipedia).

PCR tests performed in Japan are one of the lowest in the world, far lower than Cuba, Pakistan, Kosovo,...

that's how they keep the numbers low.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

*Many people, Probably you too, have the permanent Resident status, but as long as you don't have the japanese nationality and the right to vote at elections, you are not a full resident.*

Japanese Nationality is also here the key word.

And we pay tax, because we are using the country's "facilities".

And paying rent has nothing to do with a residence status.

No you make zero sense and I invite you to answer properly rather than throwing at us again and again the same baseless argument. What full resident means? Means nothing. Japan can not ask foreigners to pay tax and contribute to Japan's society in every regards and not treat them fairly and equally. And again moreover since Japanese residents in EU countries are not exposed to the same discrimination. This is a question of morale and ethics.

Paying a rent means that while these people are banned to enter the country they LIVE in, they still have to continue to pay their rent. Which goes to a Japanese owner or company. Is that fair? No way.

A lot of them were in business trip on behalf of a Japanese company when the ban was established and found themselves unable to reentry the country. Is that fair? No way.

Foreign residents pay with their hard work tax that are used for the benefice of a national community mostly being composed of Japanese people and they found suddenly themselves unable to be part of the community they helped to sustain. Is that fair? No way.

You stupidly think that being a resident of a country means belonging to a nationality or even an ethnicity. It does not.

Many of the posters at JT want Japan into a strict shutdown and lockdown and whatever, but than on the other hand, you want to open the borders?

I personally don't support a lockdown but the issue of the lockdown is totally orthogonal to the problem of not allowing foreign residents to reenter since again and again, Japan is allowing Japanese nationals traveling abroad to reenter Japan. I know a Japanese female friend who travelled (for fun) to Austria two weeks ago and of course was allowed to reenter the country, so how all of this makes any sense? Just swallow you irrational Japan apologism and admit that Japan is doing awfully wrong here.

21 ( +26 / -5 )

@daito_hak

Thank you, couldn't have said it better.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Travel ban should remain in place till the situation is stabilized. Japan hardly needs any foreign investment as the Government prints money at will, deficits be damned. If exports are seriously threatened they may open the borders, until then they will just whistle in the dark!

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

I can understand restricting/banning tourist entry but long term residents/PR visa holders/those with business and family ties to japan should ideally be treated the same as returning residents. Have everyone take a test upon arrival and sign an undertaking to self isolate for 14 days.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

@i@n

From what I understand the lobby is now trying to ensure Residents can leave and return and not force Japan to open its borders. I would not consider allowing a Permanent Resident to return to their home (although it seems Japan does not consider us to have a home here) as "opening the borders". The lobby is doing this at the behest of numerous members of business associations as well as individuals.

The countries which are part of the lobby already have restrictions however the restrictions do not apply to Residents or Permanent Residents. Yes I fully concede perhaps they are now reaching the point of asking for reciprocity but it is likely due to the fact that all other efforts have been exhausted.

For me; I have a business here and I have been here more than 2 decades. I know Japan is not perfect (neither is my country of birth) but I am shocked that Japan would treat Permanent Residents in this manner.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

It's time for us expats in Japan to show some spine for once and vote with our feet or withhold our taxes. Not many will be brave enough to attempt it, but if we can't even be moved to take any action whatsoever, then this issue isn't as important as everyone is making it out to be is it? Grow some balls and do something about it instead of whingeing online all day long. This is why Japanese have no respect for foreigners and we'll always second class residents

10 ( +15 / -5 )

@ADK99

How on earth does it make sense to restrict their travel, whilst allowing the other 98-99% to travel freely?

Because the 98-99% are Japanese People, mostly born here WITH a japanese nationality!

Japanese Nationality is the key word.

@Daito Hak

Many people, Probably you too, have the permanent Resident status, but as long as you don't have the japanese nationality and the right to vote at elections, you are not a full resident.

Japanese Nationality is also here the key word.

And we pay tax, because we are using the country's "facilities".

And paying rent has nothing to do with a residence status.

But one more thing:

Many of the posters at JT want Japan into a strict shutdown and lockdown and whatever, but than on the other hand, you want to open the borders?

That makes Zero sense for me!

-27 ( +1 / -28 )

@Tokyo-Engr

Fully understand and support your position.

And basically what I was implying in my first post was that the lobby should have been based on the plight and rights of the residents, not on reciprocity.

What the lobby is doing now could be construed as using the plight of the residents to force Japan to open its borders.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Dont open the borders, keep Japan safe!

Nobody is asking to open the borders. They are being asked to just let foreign residents living in Japan reenter the country (most of them being abroad before the ban was established), the same way they do for Japanese nationals traveling abroad. You do it by purpose not to understand something that simple?

19 ( +22 / -3 )

@The Resident

You are 7 years younger than me.

I am happy to hear that you healthy.

I think I am also at a far point at the line for vaccine.

Anyway I think that doctors, nurses and all medical health stuff should be at priority Number 1 for a vaccine.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

@Monty - Yet, the world as a global community does not yet understand this virus fully - so a safe, proven , reliable vaccine could literally be years away. Dig a little deeper and read some broadsheet press about vaccine development before you hope a little too much. I too, of course will happily have the vaccine. But as a healthy 48 year old, how far line down for the 6 Billion doses will I be?

13 ( +14 / -1 )

@Monty - the VAST majority of business travelers in and out of Japan are Japanese. They are currently able to travel, and some people ARE taking business trips. If your logic made any sense at all, Japan should stop everyone from traveling overseas. (And I recognize that it is difficult/impossible to stop citizens from RETURNING home, but you can certainly stop them from leaving)

The "foreign" population here is 1-2%. How on earth does it make sense to restrict their travel, whilst allowing the other 98-99% to travel freely? More to the point, what kind of decision is it to literally strand people away from their homes for months on end, whilst allowing other people to come and go as they please?

25 ( +26 / -1 )

Yes I know, we foreigners pay tax here, but we are not japanese and we don't have a japanese passport.

Then you should seriously reconsider to learn what residency means. You don't need to have a national passport to be resident of a country. The people you call foreigners are residents of Japan, they are employed in Japan, they pay tax in Japan, they pay rents in Japan and al lot of them have families in Japan. Most of them have been living here for years or decades, so their work not only comes into the benefit of Japan's economy, but they have also been paying pension premiums that is used to pay the pension of the elderly Japanese, the same Japanese you are blindly trying to defend.

There is no excuse on what Japan is doing here, this is shameful, disgraceful and immoral. The only reason that they are banning foreign residents from entering Japan from countries where Japanese nationals are allowed to go is xenophobia. This is a disgusting political maneuver from the Japanese government to show its populations that it's doing something. There isn't a rational and scientific reason to do that for the so-called prevention against the virus since the protocol used for the Japanese nationals coming back to Japan could have been EQUALLY applied for the foreign residents.

Europe (and possibly US too) will have to seriously reconsider the relations they have not only with China but also Japan. Those countries are just not trustable and they operate without any respect of mutual agreements. Japanese residents in Europe are treated fairly and equally, and the least we can ask is reciprocity from Japan. But they are not civilized enough to understand that apparently and always operate for their own benefits when they need to do so violating mutual trust. It's enough to give them a free pass.

27 ( +28 / -1 )

Nationality should not be an exception when we talk about health, right?

15 ( +16 / -1 )

@i@n

Anyway, Japan should have allowed long term residents to come back also. They're residents, Japan is their home at the moment.

I fully understand your post however as a result of this policy it is obvious that according to the Japanese government Japan is not our home. Even those with Japanese spouses and children or those having businesses here; Japan is not home. Home is a place where you can leave and return to.

An acquaintance of mine attempted to come back from Europe with his Japanese wife and 2 children. They actually made him return to Europe. This shocked me to the core and it is the reason I became so passionate about this issue.

29 ( +30 / -1 )

People invest in New Zealand?

Wonder what their policy is ? Can foreign investors enter the respective countries hurdle free ?

Even New Zealand ?

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

But Japan is in the process of relaxing the rules now right?

In any case I don't think it's unfair. Other countries can't just open their borders and expect the countries they've opened up to to open up their borders also.

If they want that they should have negotiated it before opening up.

Anyway, Japan should have allowed long term residents to come back also. They're residents, Japan is their home at the moment.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

@Steve Morgan

How many will take the vaccine?? Not me!!

I will !

Because I want to go back to my normal life ASAP.

And if a safe vaccine is available, it would be stupid not to take it, because that is prevention Number 1 against the Virus.

So everyone here, who is fear mongering and screaming for lockdowns and whatever every day, should be the first in line to get the vaccine, right?

I remember, I always refused to take a vaccine against influenza.

Then 6 years ago I got Influenza highest level...I thought I would die.

41 degree fever, 3 weeks unable to go to work, horrible bad condition...

And then I changed my mind and took the vaccine 1 year later, and since then I am fine!

I got Influenza again 2 years ago, but very very low level.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

How many will take the vaccine?? Not me!!

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

Wonder what their policy is ? Can foreign investors enter the respective countries hurdle free ?

Even New Zealand ?

Most of these countries policies are available online. 'Foreign investors' is a bit vague; it would depend on their residency/visa status I imagine. For example, in New Zealand, the following people may enter without seeking prior approval:

New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and residents with valid travel conditions (excluding people granted a resident visa outside New Zealand and who are travelling to New Zealand on that resident visa for the first time).

Partners, dependent children (aged 19 years or under if they hold a temporary visa or 24 and under if they hold a resident visa) of New Zealand citizens or residents who hold a visa based on their relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident partner or parent.

In addition, the following people may apply for an exception to the entry ban:

Partners, dependent children (aged 19 years or under) or legal guardians of New Zealand citizens or residents who do not hold a visa based on their relationship and either are travelling with their New Zealand citizen or resident family member, or ordinarily reside in New Zealand.

Partners and dependent children (aged 19 years and under) who hold a valid visitor, work or student visa and are normally resident in New Zealand, if they are the partner or child of a work or student visa holder who is currently in New Zealand.

Source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/border-closures-and-exceptions

11 ( +11 / -0 )

I agree better safe than sorry.

-25 ( +5 / -30 )

@TheResident

Yes it is correct what you are saying.

I am just worried that business people and travelers and also residents of Japan (Japanese nationals and foreigners), who came in from abroad will bring in many Virus cases.

I think the Virus in Japan is under Control, and that inside Japan, we can go back soon to our normal and regular life.

But I am worried that the Virus will get out of control after Japan opens the borders.

Of course I also want to go back to business trips and travel.

At my work, over the last years, I traveled a lot for business from Japan all over the world, but now I am stuck in Japan too.

All my business trips are cancelled.

My life changed like hell.

Also my salary decreased a lot.

And that sucks!

I want to go back to my former life but, I think that before a safe vaccine is found, to open the borders is too risky.

Or Japan and other countries have to implement a very secure and safe prevention system, before people enter the country. Then I would say it is OK.

-27 ( +2 / -29 )

“We know of no evidence that suggests that foreign long-term residents of Japan entering from abroad pose any greater health risk locally than Japanese nationals who do the same.”

— From the Joint Statement on Entry Restrictions by the ACCJ, ANZCCJ, BCCJ, and the EBC

19 ( +21 / -2 )

@Monty - I'm generally in agreement with you, but not on this. But whereas I accept there should be SOME conditions for us to be able to travel, they are at present far too draconian. And, I am of the opinion that if we follow the 'wait for a vaccine' maxim, then we could be stuck here for years (literally).

16 ( +17 / -1 )

I think everything should be reciprocal.

You close your door,I close mine.You open your door,I open mine.

I have already discussed this issue with my Embassy and waiting to hear the results.

15 ( +19 / -4 )

If other countries reciprocate it will teach Japan a lesson.

28 ( +33 / -5 )

That’s so like Japan. They take a very hard and unfair line against foreigners. This is despite the fact that the spread of the virus at this time is totally domestic.

29 ( +34 / -5 )

Japan should open up ASAP, however ..

The joint letter was signed by business lobbies from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand

Wonder what their policy is ? Can foreign investors enter the respective countries hurdle free ?

Even New Zealand ?

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Keep the borders closed, because otherwise Japan will get a lot of imported Corona cases into Japan.

You can see that this is now happening in Europe with al the people return from other countries..

The japanese Nationals can not be banned from entry their own country, because this is their home country and they have a japanese passport.

Yes I know, we foreigners pay tax here, but we are not japanese and we don't have a japanese passport.

So we have to be patient until Japan eases the Entry Ban for foreigners again, but nobody knows when that will be.

Probably after a vaccine is found.

-46 ( +6 / -52 )

Better to be safe than sorry.

200,000 taxpayers stuck in expensive limbo for months while Japanese come and go as they please?

38 ( +43 / -5 )

Why are they complaining ?!

Better to be safe than sorry.

Most of them ..just stay where you are .

-48 ( +7 / -55 )

@HBJ - I saw the same and just posted about this at the other article.

It is amazing the Japanese politicians cannot see this. Most Japanese citizens do not know about this ban but everyone I speak to about this think it is crazy.

There is no logical reason for this ban and certainly no medical reason (i.e. the virus does not care about race and one race is not more likely to transmit than another).

I believe this issue will hurt Japan much more in the long run than provide any benefit.

34 ( +39 / -5 )

These measures "can only discourage foreign nationals, and the companies they work for, from investing in Japan," the business groups said.

On the same day Japan announces it wants to pitch Osaka and Fukuoka as major foreign financial investment hubs!!

Oh the irony!

51 ( +55 / -4 )

@Artistatlarge

Better safe than sorry.

In that case, leave the Japanese at the door too

45 ( +52 / -7 )

Does seem out of step, when domestically a sticker at the door of a bar ensures safety? Perhaps travelers should adopt a zany mascot and wear some sort of identifying badge? Then everyone is happy?

24 ( +29 / -5 )

Better safe than sorry.

-47 ( +9 / -56 )

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