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Japan to grant re-entry 'gradually' to foreign residents stuck abroad

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Japan will also consider allowing in a small number of businesspeople from other countries such as the United States and parts of Europe if they follow certain rules such as traveling only by private jet and limiting their stay to 72 hours.

Nonsense like this is the norm. Whatever.

37 ( +43 / -6 )

limiting their stay to 72 hours.

So the business people can fly in in their private jets, spread the virus, and jet away. Leaving the Japanese gov’t to scratch their heads and ‘regret’ they don’t know how this cluster began.

Plus, who thinks foreign business people can get their counterparts to agree on anything in 72 hours? Best zoom that meeting.

47 ( +49 / -2 )

Say Hello to many uncountable imported Corona Virus cases!

-12 ( +14 / -26 )

fortunately, there's zero chance of Japanese returnees carrying the Covid....

46 ( +52 / -6 )

Foreign residents in Japan being treated as Second class citizens is an understatement. Better vote with your feet...long term it’s gonna get worse...the government should pay ¥100,000 per foreign resident for every month they imposed this re-entry ban abs abuse of human rights as a minimum.

27 ( +39 / -12 )

They are worried that if a green light for return is given for the "208,000 (foreign visa-holding residents) currently abroad", then there would be a massive influx of people coming in (aside from the Japanese citizens), which they are still completely unprepared for in wanting to test every person who enters.

Currently, airports have the ability to test hardly 2000 people arriving per day, and its hoped that number will increase to 6000 per day at some point after the new airport testing centers open in (its hoped) September.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

So, no foreign mass tourism for this year then....

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Gradually. Like how a glacier moves.

23 ( +26 / -3 )

At this pace no way I'm going home for Christmas this year...

Thank you, Japan.

13 ( +25 / -12 )

At this pace no way I'm going home for Christmas this year...

and your country is currently allowing to fly to and from there hassle free?

5 ( +10 / -5 )

and your country is currently allowing to fly to and from there hassle free?

Yes, in fact flying from Japan, no longer requires quarantine either! No reciprocity from Japan side, though.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

JaxToday  07:21 am JST

At this pace no way I'm going home for Christmas this year...

Thank you, Japan.

Yes it sucks. But you need to thank China. Everyone in every country has had their lives messed up.

2 ( +23 / -21 )

Abe is doing the right thing for once.

good job!

-20 ( +7 / -27 )

"Reciprocity" is a word few Japanese gummint officials know, and perhaps there is no Japanese equivalent, but pressure from the "Black Ships" will inevitably cause them to sing from a different song book. The fact that Covid-infested Tokyo is becoming more dangerous by the day making it a high risk destination for incoming passengers is an irony that will eventually register in the grey matter of even the most obtuse politicians and bureaucrats responsible for Japan's half-baked immigration policies.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Gradually? Very strange reasoning without justification. My guess is they just don't want those foreigners back in until the labor market picks up, which it probably won't given the deteriorating situation.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

sorry no link but someone told me Germany is not allowing entry to Japanese until German citizens are allowed back into Japan. If other countries followed this kind of "Reciprocity" things might change somewhat sooner than a meaningless - "gradually" How long is "gradually". Who gets to be the first of the "gradually" allowed in.

oh and special entry for athletes. Foreign athletes will surely be lining up for that. I can see the queues at the airport. Will they be exempted from 14 day quarantine as well? Can they take public transport or must taxi to their sports place and never leave there as they are confined to a bubble?

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Getting back to Japan also depends on the airlines. I know someone in Australia who has been waiting to return to Japan since April. But Qantas and Jetstar aren't flying to Japan, and neither is JAL. I think ANA will have one flight a week to and from Sydney from August but I'm not sure. So it's not that easy.

Hopefully, more airlines will resume international flights but without tourists, it is not profitable for them to fly.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Wow, 208,000 residents stuck abroad.....had no idea would be so many.

Sadly Japans restrictions has likely ruined many of these people's plans, jobs, marriages, mortgages etc etc

And we still dont really know what they are thinking other than possibly letting people trickle back in....... how they hell do they coordinate that......

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Why would you let anyone in from America? way way too many cases there, perhaps countries that actually have low rates.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

There are about 380,000 Special PR (Chinese and Korean) and about 750,000 PR. I think there about 300,000 international students.

Guess how many Corona cases will come in...

-18 ( +0 / -18 )

The damage has already been done to perfectly healthy foreign residents, including permanent residents, by Abe's xenophobic ban. Abe's gradualism will likely not undo the damage..

The irony is that since the ban, the coronavirus has surged in Tokyo and Osaka. Don't blame foreigners for this. The source is primarily from Japanese.

15 ( +19 / -4 )

I do not know who advices Japanese gvt but whoever does,has been doing a shoddy job.

People are watching and taking notes.Do they realise that this is going to have an overall and negative effect in future?

I have a relative who works at the immigration department in a different country and she couldn't believe when I told her what's going on here.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Also it's worth noting that the German government is now banning Japanese from entering Germany because they feel German citizens living in Japan are treated unfairly by allowing them not to reenter Japan if they leave.

Here's the announcement from the German Foreign Ministry (in Japanese)

https://japan.diplo.de/ja-ja/service/-/2321032

23 ( +24 / -1 )

This is a classic example of how the Japanese ----------------- is prevalent. It behooves one to think that banning PR and Spouse Visa holders while citizens of Japan can 'freely' conduct travel for business and personal reasons during this 'pandemic' is an effective plan. I am echoing all here that this thinking is a some sort of ---------- that wont go away. You can fill in the blanks yourself and it will ring true to personal experiences for many here.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Every country has the right to protect its borders.

-11 ( +8 / -19 )

"Also it's worth noting that the German government is now banning Japanese from entering Germany because they feel German citizens living in Japan are treated unfairly by allowing them not to reenter Japan if they leave."

Given the current situation in Germany and Europe as whole, the German government is doing the Japanese a favor.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

Will the government loan me a private jet so I can go back to the U.K. to conclude some business? No? Thought not.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I've already told my relatives in the U.S. that I probably won't be home for a few years. It comes with the territory when you live in a foreign country abroad. It's kind of like the phrase: My house, my rules.

If you don't like it, then you should look for another house.

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

I'm straightforward on this issue: give them a fast-track on (re) entry ahead of other "non essential" visitors. For I believe foreign residents also constitute a significant part of Japanese community. "Gradually" may suggest some technical challenges or under-preparedness about testing upon international arrivals. Hope it will soon be resolved.

Meanwhile entry control is getting more important in order to curb spikes. As experts have warned, I also suspect that a new wave is likely to come from abroad. The first wave during last April is identified as an imported type from Europe.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Many other countries that have imposed travel bans such as Germany and France do not discriminate between citizens and foreign residents

Wait, Germany did! As a German national I was allowed into the country at all the time. However, there was a time when my Japanese husband would not have been allowed to enter Germany, I am pretty sure, because actually we had planned to visit my family in May, so I did some research back then

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

@zichi

Are Japanese nationals immune to corona?

No, but their behaving according Corona prevention is much better than I see to foreigners. Not only in Japan, also overseas.

It starts with wearing masks...

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

People who are permanent residence and who are spoueses of Japanese nationals, should be able to re enter Japan. They should also be quarantined for at least 20 days after re entry.

I have no ambition to travel abroad from Japan, I have not left Japan in over 10 years but was contemplating a nice trip to South Korea by ferry for a small holiday. Because of the novel corona virus Im happy to stay with in Japan until there is a tangible treatment that has been effective fo at least three years or more.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Foreign residents in Japan being treated as Second class citizens is an understatement.

That would be a leg up. Until foreign residents are NATIONALIZED they are not citizens at all. In no way do I approve of this treatment, but its part of the risk you take when you work and live in a FOREIGN country. You don't get to be any kind of citizen until you NATIONALIZE.

That said, the government gave those people visas and so many pay taxes here and have families that need supporting. Some own properties and businesses that need maintaining. The government should be ashamed of itself to not offer quarantine at least to those who wish to return. This is a human rights violation in my book but don't expect to be treated like any kind of citizen until you actually become an actual citizen.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

ossanamerica:

Yes it sucks. But you need to thank China.

Lift the record player needle - you're sounding like a broken record. Your dear leader in the children's playroom called the white house has amplified this problem to epic proportions and done too little too late. Your country is a global embarrassment.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Japanese (of US) would also like to resume travel to Japan -- especially large numbers on west coast US.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Foreign residents in Japan being treated as Second class citizens is an understatement. Better vote with your feet...long term it’s gonna get worse...

As non-citizens of this country,, yes, we are "second class" , please let me know of what country out there that will put "residents" over and above their own ? I understand, the Japanese government (any good gov out there) will always take care of the return of their citizens above others and have absolutely no issue. Just be lucky that they have included foreigner residents for the 100,000 yen in coverage plan.

This is a human rights violation in my book but don't expect to be treated like any kind of citizen until you actually become an actual citizen.

How can this be a human rights violation ? You are not a citizen of the country therefore they (Japan as a whole) does not owe you anything. The way I see it, just lucky that they treat you nicely as long as you follow the law of the land. When I first moved here, someone said to me "You are here as a visitor, the Japanese did not ask you to be here. Like any visitor, if you are not happy, you know where the exit is."

The government should be ashamed of itself to not offer quarantine at least to those who wish to return.

I agree with you about offering quarantine period, and I don't know why they did not, I can only guess that they (the gov) might have been worried about the stress on the medical system that the influx of returnees might have had.

To be honest, even after a vaccine becomes available I will continue to wear the mask and will not feel safe to travel until the vaccine is well tested and established (I equate it to buying a vers 1.0 of a software - there are always bugs).

Keep safe everyone and wear mask when you are out of your "bubble" and follow the protocol at all times.

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

"Given the current situation in Germany and Europe as whole, the German government is doing the Japanese a favor."

I would like to mention that Japan had more cases of Corona than Germany yesterday. It also seems like the number of infected people in Japan will increase while in Germany this number doesn't increase (at the moment) and stays almost the same for months now. As I live in Germany I know rules related to night life business are very strict. I heard something different about Japan.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Every action and policy that the j-gov has come up with in the past few years is a shocker - void of logic, inconsistent, double-standard, shortsighted, impractical, or waste of tax payers money.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Talked to some Japanese neighbors back from Spain via Singapore yesterday. No self isolation for them they're hitting the road today for three days in Nagano to take souvenirs to their relatives.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

traveling only by private jet

over hordes of grateful serfs

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"follow certain rules such as traveling only by private jet "

My private jet is in for repairs, so I may get my personal helicopter out of storage. Would that be permitted? Would Cessnas also be allowed as they are fixed wing aircraft, but not jets?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

What applies to nationals should equally apply to non nationals.

We ride together. We die together.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

All this nonsense is because of the Olympics. Japan is desperate to keep Covid numbers down, by whatever means necessary, as they do not want the Games cancelled. Keep the numbers artificially low this year and maybe countries and athletes may choose to come next year, believing Japan is some super organised Covid free paradise. Never mind if this rubbish suffocates the economy, ruins businesses and keeps families apart. Who cares about foreigners in Japan, we don’t count. I am so angry about this, more than anything else I’ve experienced since moving here. If it wasn’t for my husband I’d be off. My opinion of this government and attitudes has never been so low.

19 ( +19 / -0 )

The privilege and entitlement individual foreigners express thru an inability to fathom they are not citizens of Japan nor natives is to be expected, the arrogance is amusing.

As a class, the assertions fabricated are basely absurd. It is an ongoing pandemic. Borders are purposefully sealed to aid in the prevention of a virus that is from an outside source. Japanese should and do have a right of return because they are citizens.

The empty rhetoric by foreigners who utter the cheap & smarmy tag, about Japanese, that the government has determined Japanese don't carry SARSCoV-2, as if it is simply a random means to exclude foreigners, further illustrates an inability to comprehend the rights and privileges of citizenship, as opposed to a 'migrant' and in fact a second class citizen. No one asserts Japanese are immune to SARSCoV-2 that is cheap rhetoric to justify a piss-poor, self-serving argument.

The hyperbole and nonsense that it is a human rights violation illustrates a gross ignorance and a dis-service to actual human rights violations.

Foreigners hold citizenship in their homeland and owe such, as in some countries, as military service, and also are eligible for healthcare and government sponsored retirement and other guaranteed rights that don't apply to Japanese citizens in those domains, the differences among countries is obvious and runs the gamut.

To prevent stress on the medical system resultant from foreigners who carry the virus from abroad, the simplest means to stave such off is to ban entry to all but citizens.

The continual harping on the level of testing, at this point naught but a panacea, is worthless nonsense - it is a useful tool for specific means.

Anyone talking about discrimination, who is from the USA and less so Europe are grossly unaware of the social conditions in their homeland. And as a descript related to the current SARSCoV-2 policy preventing the return of non-nationals is a gross stupidity.

As for business people flying in on private aircraft, how would that surprise anyone? As if privilege does not belong to the powerful and inequity is non-existent. Those who own the country rule it. Criticism of such carries the weight of a windsock.

-21 ( +1 / -22 )

"No, but their behaving according Corona prevention is much better than I see to foreigners."

Can you prove that? There are now 10,000 cases of the virus in Tokyo alone. Don't tell me they are all foreigners.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

It just shows how broken the Japanese governement is about competencies in health and foreign matters.

Japan will pay harsh for it but they don't care the price. They will never want to lose face.

First, if a ban, it should be explained.

If lack of test capacity, if false test report, if no possible accomodation for quarantine,etc plenty of good reasons.

But wealth , business , nationality ...are not rational reasons to be let in or not.

It is like saying you have black hair, so you are ok. Non-sense.

And the mental impact it provokes is not taken into account, breaking surely many lives.

I had once to go back to attend in my home country the funerals of my grand father when living in Japan. If that was the current situation, I would be totally stressed out not to know if able to reach back my family, or simply not go to the funerals.

Shame, shame, shame.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

“Many other countries that have imposed travel bans such as Germany and France do not discriminate between citizens and foreign residents in granting re-entry.”

NOT TRUE

USA is not allowed to enter the European One because of COVID cases we have right now.

But my Italian friends and French friend left for Paris last week! But not Americans.

Countries are careful to stop COVID from spreading. Right now NYC does not allow other states with high COVID cases to enter the city.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

It all depends what passport you carryZ. Even you live in Japan the last 10 years and your healthcare etc... is in Japan - what passport one carries is important.

This is why there is a line for passport holders of a country and a separate line for permanent resident or tourist etc...

that is for any country! I travel and I know what happens.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Richard Gallagher: "Borders are purposefully sealed to aid in the prevention of a virus that is from an outside source. Japanese should and do have a right of return because they are citizens."

You contradict yourself -- you say it is for safety, then you say it is because of nationality. If it is truly about safety, you deny both -- regardless of nationality. If it's safe to allow Japanese nationals in on condition that they quarantine, there is nothing at all wrong with allowing foreigners who live, work, and pay taxes here and are in families with said Japanese nationals, the same right. They are, by law, citizens (unless you want to interpret "kokumin" as only Japanese, which is also racist).

It's fun to watch you contradict yourself to protect racism, though.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Given the current situation in Germany and Europe as whole, the German government is doing the Japanese a favor.

Read the actual numbers before writing nonsense. Most of European countries that were hit hard by the virus a few months ago like Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium etc are doing so much better than Japan. Even the UK is doing better than Japan right now.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Japan has no anti-discrimination law that behooves it to confer any rights on foreigners but as long as we pay our taxes and road fines then we are just about tolerated...

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Jeancolmer

Can you prove that? There are now 10,000 cases of the virus in Tokyo alone. Don't tell me they are all foreigners.

These are the number presented from the ultra-low pcr test rates.

Considering, the population, density, economic and economy power of Japan the number of test a day should atleast be above 300,000.

There is just no interest whatsoever by the government to control this virus. What is being done at the present borders on deceit.

And to see so many believing in this sham beggars believe.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I hardly ever get to return to my country of origin, so not being able to go there doesn't bother me too much... but what is a huge strain is the knowledge that if I had to go back for some reason (my parents are very elderly and I worry a lot), I wouldn't be able to come back home.

If your reason for returning home falls under their current exceptions, i.e. ailing family members, funerals or humanitarian reasons, then you are allowed back in. There was a post on reddit I read the other day about an American who provided sufficient documentation and was let in again.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I bet they're all still required to pay their taxes when they're eventually allowed to return!

10 ( +10 / -0 )

yes, seems resident tax is still due every month. even if you arent allowed to reside here right now.

But actually, I understand the reluctance to let people back in. The virus doesnt really avoid permanent residence holders, they can bring it back to Japan just the same as anyone else. So I agree it should be based on where you are returning from, not your own personal immigration status.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I wonder if these Japanese residences will be quarantined for two weeks when they return? will they be screened when they return? or will they just be allowed to get off the planes and go back to their houses and families.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

way too soon. keep everyone out until Oct and then re-evaluate.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

@zichi. The NHS is free for U.K. residents, not citizens. If you live in the U.K. legally you can register with a GP and are entitled to full access. If you are a U.K. citizen who lives abroad you are no longer eligible after a six month absence. Your National Insurance number is irrelevant. Nor does it have anything to do with the number of NI contributions made in the past.

Non UK residents are only entitled to free care if it’s an emergency, you are Sectioned under the Mental Health Act, you have a sexually transmitted disease or you have a communicable disease that is a threat to public health. Everything else, you will get a nice fat bill when you feel better. They do chase up these fees now, NHS Trusts are now obliged to by law.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

What goes around comes around. I say don't let Japanese enter other countries as well and thus face the same discrimination they so easily dish out.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

there is a line for passport holders of a country and a separate line for permanent resident or tourist etc...

As a permanent resident, I’ve always gone through the Japanese passport holders queue, together with other (Japanese) family members. Like the immigration official advised me to do the first time I returned to Japan after gaining PR status.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Important - this MOFA update merely extends the ban until 31st August! Please read the MOFA website through. They are playing their hoodwink games again. All this gloss and talk but in reality their MOFA site clearly states that the ban will continue until at least 31st August (it was 31st July yesterday).

They have hidden their real motive with this fancy press conference but in reality it states extended until 31st August. All these quotes are just that, talk.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This is why there is a line for passport holders of a country and a separate line for permanent resident or tourist etc...

Really? I mean, really?

Last time I went through immigration at Heathrow, Japanese passport holders (tourists included, might I add) were grouped with UK/EU passport holders, which might explain why waiting times have been getting longer and longer. And these lines, might I add, have automatic gates, so the Japanese don't even need to come into contact with an immigration officer.

And if you go to Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport, you'll see that PRs go exactly through the same automatic gates as the locals. Hell, they don't even need to show their passport.

As a permanent resident, I’ve always gone through the Japanese passport holders queue, together with other (Japanese) family members.

And not all PRs are married to a Japanese, but nice try.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

International travel is a real conundrum. Haven't given it much thought, except to think that it is a difficult subject to tackle. Up until now, I had assumed that most international travelers would be required to undergo a period of quarantine once arriving at their destination. Not sure how that would apply to flight crews.

By way of example of how not to do things, there is the way Trump handled an embargo on travel from China. He forbade Chinese citizens from entering the States, but allowed over 40,000 people with American citizenship to travel back home, and spread out around the States. That pretty much marked the beginning of the pandemic in the States.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And not all PRs are married to a Japanese, but nice try

Nice try at what?

I wasn’t implying that there’s anything special about being married to a Japanese, just that for getting through Immigration PR passports are treated the same as Japanese.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

*"Foreign residents in Japan being treated as Second class citizens is an understatement."*

Foreign residents are NOT citizens!!!

Nowhere.

Jeeezus.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

cleo:

Nice try at what?

Nice try at making it sound as if having PR is enough to let you waltz through the Japanese queue. In fact, I'd like to see you line up at ANY of the queues now at Narita coming back from abroad, and see how far you get.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Nice try at making it sound as if having PR is enough to let you waltz through the Japanese queue.

Before all the travel bans started, it was.

In fact, I'd like to see you line up at ANY of the queues now at Narita coming back from abroad,

Now??

Things is different now, that’s what all the fuss and indignation is about.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@stormcrow

It's kind of like the phrase: My house, my rules.

If you don't like it, then you should look for another house.

I always felt Pico Iyer summed this up well when he quoted someone he knew living in Japan speaking about those who criticized this non-native home of their's:

"When you're a guest in someone's house, you shouldn't tell them how to arrange their furniture."

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Wait, Germany did! As a German national I was allowed into the country at all the time. However, there was a time when my Japanese husband would not have been allowed to enter Germany, I am pretty sure, because actually we had planned to visit my family in May, so I did some research back then

So what you're saying is that you wanted to go on a vacation trip to Germany while you and your Japanese spouse reside in Japan. Don't you realize that this is different from having your residence in Germany and you including your Japanese spouse simply wanted to return? In the latter he would've been allowed in - contrary to Japan.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

How can this be a human rights violation ? You are not a citizen of the country therefore they (Japan as a whole) does not owe you anything. The way I see it, just lucky that they treat you nicely as long as you follow the law of the land. When I first moved here, someone said to me "You are here as a visitor, the Japanese did not ask you to be here. Like any visitor, if you are not happy, you know where the exit is."

ok by that logic then all Japanese nationals with permanent residency in other countries should be treated the same even if they have family in those countries.

They're not visitors they live there they have family in Japan they work and pay taxes in Japan many of their family are Japanese nationals, why is it that Japanese can come back and be quarantine and foreigners cant,

why is it fine for the Japanese government to discriminate against a father, mother, brother sister of Japanese national all because they weren't born in Japan, are Japanese immune to covid19? are japanese less infectious!?

You clearly have no idea what basic human rights or discrimination is!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Start by forcing your own country do the same too.

almost all other countries do, if they have a complete ban then that includes everybody, if they allow their citizens back they also allow foreigners but they have to be tested and quarantine

gaijin permanent residents with japanese families don't want special treatment they just wanted to be treated the same as their japanese counterparts, almost all are prepared to be tested and quarantined for 2 weeks. Covid19 doesn't care what nationality or race you are itll infect you all the same. If Japan will accept Japanese to come back under those conditions why cant they do the same for PR?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

They want it were they only can freely move around and do anything, yet not the other way around. Some with some sense can see how they do things. They want to control and manipulate everything.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

A "guest" in someone's house?

You can call yourself that if you want mate but like others here I have paid millions of yen in taxes the last 20 years ( and more again in social welfare payments. Not to mention having two kids when Japanese birth rates are at an all time low.

I'm no guest. I'm part of the furniture whether Japanese accept me or not. Stare at me. Use your pidgeon English. It doesn't matter.

I do wish Japan had a more tolerant policy but at the end of the day it is a racist country. Then again most countries are racist towards foreigners.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

If I wanted to be treated as a Japanese then I would become Japanese.Actually, more than a few Japanese ask me why I have not.

I cannot really think how advantageous it would be to do so....

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Those who own the country rule it. 

Hmm, the above sentiment is all too familiar and has been voiced before:  "The people who own the country ought to govern it.", once quoth arch-reactionary Founding Father, John Jay. The trouble is if applied, that singularly undemocratic obiter dictum would exclude the overwhelming majority who own little or nothing from having any say at all in how a society is run. No, the principle to be applied here is one of fairness to the minority resident group of PRs who, with or without family, LIVE, WORK and PAY TAXES. My son was born in Japan and has lived here all his life. He has been in Europe for almost a year but is now stuck, pending the whim of the Japanese authorities to allow him back to his only home.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"The trouble is if applied, that singularly undemocratic obiter dictum would exclude the overwhelming majority who own little or nothing from having any say at all in how a society is run. "

Maybe in a parallel Universe.

In this one we're living on, every single country makes laws to advantage/privilege its nationals.

Foreigners, including foreign residents are always the secondary consideration; everywhere.

Unless your country is different.

Which begs the question:

Where are you from then?!

Sincerely hope not from the UK.

Or the US.

Or Australia, NZ, China, Korea;

Or.......

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Now restrictions have been ADDED to permanent residents who left before the ban. Anyone reentering will need both a letter from the Japanese consulate and a PCR test results letter obtained 72 hours before flying in order to reenter.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001074.html

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@zichi

The information is correct:

You're no longer entitled to the NHS as you live abroad on a permanent basis.

Also:

Sorry if I've ever offended you in any of my post(s).

I did not know you are much older than me, until I read one of your posts today.

Really sorry.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm glad to see Germany has reciprocated by banning Japanese visitors. Of course this doesn't apply to Japanese residing in Japan because in a civilized country like Germany, it's actually illegal to ban returning residents. But I do find reciprocity, tit-for-tat, or shoe on the other foot treatment very, how shall I say it, delicious.

And not for one minute am I going to trust the Japanese government when it says it will allow those who left for 'compassionate' reasons. The red-tape and back-stabbing is worrying enough.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@JapanBliss

Now restrictions have been ADDED to permanent residents who left before the ban. Anyone reentering will need both a letter from the Japanese consulate and a PCR test results letter obtained 72 hours before flying in order to reenter.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001074.html

so basically they pretend they’re gonna let foreign residents back in gradually but what they announced is even tougher conditions to the few foreign residents (pr who left before apr 3) that were already allowed back in. Wtf

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Seems to me that when considering whether a person should be allowed to cross a border, at least from a scientific point of view, citizenship is irrelevant, but much more importantly, whether a person is a threat to transmit Covid-19 within the country should be the prime consideration. The virus does not respect citizenship or national boundaries. Therefore, a quarantine period for a traveler, unless they can somehow be certified as virus free without a quarantine, should be imposed on everyone desiring to move across a national border, at least until the current pandemic is over.

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Restrictions have been ADDED not loosened. Even residents who left before the ban now need to apply at their local embassy and provide that letter to immigration upon arrival.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001074.html

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