Scholars urge Japan to restart issuing visas to foreign students

The lack of reciprocity damages carefully cultivated partnerships

When has Japan ever cared about "reciprocity"?

If Japan has no objection to welcoming new JET Programme teachers from abroad into the country (as the country is currently doing), there should be no objection to fully opening to foreign students.

While Japan has started sending its students and researchers abroad, the country does not receive students and researchers

Double standard is the name of the game here

@divinda 07:42 am JST

New JETs can currently enter Japan? Are you sure?

They are in quarantine at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku right now — perhaps reading this comment.

Lol! Japan has been issuing visas for foreign students, just the one's who come for JSL schools and work "part-time" too (cough..cough...cough..)

Japan may be the only country among the Group of Seven to have restrictions this strict. However, it isn't the only "developed" nation to do so. For example, New Zealand isn't issuing new student visas at all at the moment and it's been like this since February 2020.

Having said that, it is very much in character for the J government to not give citizens of other countries the freedoms its citizens enjoy in those respective countries. There's probably no official rationale behind this, but anyone who lives here knows how it's common for many (especially those in charge) to see the outside as dangerous and unclean. In this case, ignoring the fact that Japan's Covid response has not been a succes (unlike, for the most part, NZ, Taiwan or Vietnam) and this lack of reciprocity is mostly not justifiable. If you think you're better by default, you don't have to justify treating others as inferiors.

Mr KiplingToday 07:55 am JST

Japan usually host thousands of students from developing countries, mostly on Japanese government scholarships paid for by Japanese tax payers. Meanwhile many Japanese students are struggling to pay their fees and living expenses.

Oh come now. This is no different to most developed economies. Stop trying to sow anti-Japanese sentiment.

After two years of being free from Covid and having been checked for antibodies and vaccinated,I can honestly say that I find it extremely difficult to understand Japan’s head in the sand policies towards vaccinated foreigners.

Divinda, 8 new ALT's just showed up in our city! Including our new CIR! Also the National Technical College in our city has been receiving students from Mongolia, Thailand for a while, but they are government sponsored so they are ok, right?

Yotoyama- understand the distrust of outsiders by Japan. But there is no health reason to continue delaying reopening travel, especially to students and business. At least start there, with tourism to follow.

Science shows that Japan has almost eliminated the virus, its vulnerable are vaccinated, they have had plenty of community spread, requiring vaccinations or negative tests for travelers will provide another layer of protection, and there are plenty of highly effective therapeutics, if necessary.

In short, the risk of an increase in cases from travel is small and if, by chance, people start getting seriously ill, they have tools to manage it.

Japan like the rest of the world is opening back slowly. Trying to keep people safe which you like to complain about in the how many cases for today section. No win with the Anti-Japan crowd.

If they are trying to keep people safe then the rules should be applicable to everybody but that isn't the case the following are presently taking place in Japan this weekend, Japan- Australia rugby match, the world gymnastic championship in Fukuoka and Zozo championship a PGA event is taking place in Narashino Chiba. I don't think any of the foreign teams or players under went the mandatory 2 week quarantine which makes the suspension of visas to foreign students (meanwhile those on monbusho scholarship are allowed in) nothing but a show

@Happy Day

I'm sorry if my wording was unclear. I'm not defending Japan's policy at all. I think that, while the policy is not unique, the country's xenophobic elements are unhealthy and will harm the country itself in the long run. No amount of the "this is how we do it, deal with it" will make up for the reality the outside world gets to see in times like these.

Bob Macaroni...

Oh come now. This is no different to most developed economies. Stop trying to sow anti-Japanese sentiment.

Anti Japanese? Hardly, I'm all for supporting Japanese students with Japanese money not the privileged elite from the third world who have used their connections and influence to get Scholarships in Japan as is often the case.

Covid-19 is here to stay. How many years will Japan be closed? Better start opening borders already since this is the new normal.

They slowly starting issing visas for foreign students and researchers who are already enrolled or hired by Japanese universities or institutions. I assume they are also starting to allow other workers in as well.

Helping a Japanese company make money during hard times and get these kinds of treatment in return because of subordinates jealousy seems very common. That is why Japan cannot get good foreign brains anymore.

Asiaman7

If Japan has no objection to welcoming new JET Programme teachers from abroad into the country (as the country is currently doing), there should be no objection to fully opening to foreign students.

New JETs can currently enter Japan? Are you sure?

The most I heard was that they have begun giving visas to allow for possible entry in November for new JETs.

Please give specifics if you can.

Lower tusion fees of all school, colleges and universities to help Japanese people and new families, so they can have more kids. No need for outside students.

Triple vax them and mask them for a year.

No thanks, we are doing well with the borders closed. Low number of 'rona cases, crowdless tourist attractions. I don't see how international students can contribute something of value to society right now. I'd say don't let'em in just yet.

Japan usually host thousands of students from developing countries, mostly on Japanese government scholarships paid for by Japanese tax payers. Meanwhile many Japanese students are struggling to pay their fees and living expenses.

Being that the Japanese constitution was written by the USA non Japanese citizens have more rights than they know.

Although no USA citizens have exercised their constitutional rights in Japan yet doesn't mean it's not possible.

Don't bother arguing with me just do the research yourself

More garbage.

Japan like the rest of the world is opening back slowly. Trying to keep people safe which you like to complain about in the how many cases for today section. No win with the Anti-Japan crowd.