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© KYODOGov't to let foreign athletes enter Japan under certain conditions
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© KYODO
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Tokyo-Engr
Am I missing something? It seems like it is easier for a foreign athlete to enter Japan than it is for the Permanent Residents here.
The overseas athletes will be admitted, ostensibly to raise the level of domestic competition for Japan's top athletes in Olympic sports.
I think the right term for Japan in this case would be "wagamama"
divinda
Yes, you apparenty missed this part:
"The athletes will be required to hand in the results of polymerase chain reaction tests before leaving their countries and upon arrival in Japan. They will also need to abide by the 14-day self-quarantine rule and submit their movement plans within Japan."
All the same for returning PRs and/or any resident visa holder, but PRs and returning residents do not need to "submit their movement plans within Japan."
Tokyo-Engr
@divinda
The part I believe I missed is that they need to be subjected to another test when they enter Japan
Cricky
Certain conditions? Movement plan? No you can't move ahead of locals, certainly no movement plan involving getting a first place. Not on paper of course.
Yubaru
Can anyone say "Olympics".
I would strongly advise any world class athletes to do their research before even considering coming here for anything!
that person
@Yubaru
can you elaborate on that for those of us who are not in the know?
Meiyouwenti
Is the government seriously saying that the Olympics is more important than life and health of residents here?
Luddite
Olympics at all costs. How can this help with immigration control?
GW
This is beyond pathetic!!! Allowing people like this who were ALREADY based in Japan before covid I can understand no issue there.......but this plan is simply allowing favourable treatment of some group......
I can see what Japan is trying to do here, they are hoping to bring in a few sports gaijins & then pray none catch covid & then say """""SEE""""" Japan has it under control
Lame all round & unfair to boot!
Goodlucktoyou
My cousin and husband had a test before leaving India. Negitive. On arrival in NZ and in quarantine, they both tested positive. Contact tracing claimed they got it from on the plane.
Tom Doley
With certain countries contemplating boycotting the games next year due to the pandemic, shouldnt the government consider begging the athletes to come to Japan instead?
kohakuebisu
For certain sports, if they don't let athletes and their staff in early, overseas competitors will not be able to make the preparations necessary to fully compete in the Games. Aside from sports where the course/venue matters, none of the superstars, Federer etc. are simply going to turn up and stay in the Olympic Village two in a room on cardboard beds. They will have their own entourage and requirements.
I'd be happy for them to cancel the whole event, but if it goes ahead, I'll be happy to go along to see the road cycling and hope the teams get to do their prep because it could be an absolute classic.
Laguna
I agree, expat. Let's see what happens when all non-Japanese boycott the Olympics. What is the sound of one hand clapping?
Yubaru
I am surprised that anyone who posts here doesnt know about the Olympics.
Is this a serious question?
Jonathan Prin
It goes against the spirit of Olympics. Anyone should participate.
Segregation based on a country's help or not goes against.
It is like saying "are you with us or against us?" in a competition while giving a blow before the race !
Ben Youknowwho
Fuzzy logic by the ruling block but these are the people that have allowed flights to continue to arrive from China right through the pandemic. Zero explanation about canceling fights to begin with. No clear directives. Some shoddy retarded website designed by a mentally challenged 2 year old.
factchecker
What a joke. Cancel the circus now!
factchecker
About the same as a tree falling in the woods, right?
Pukey2
Call me cynical, but everything the Japanese government does, there's always a hidden agenda or a catch. The latest conditions for foreign residents to come back are so difficult and troublesome, they're designed to turn people off from returning, but at the same time, Japan gets to show the world how generous they are in letting PRs back.
As for this latest news concerning athletes - yet again, so many conditions, it's designed to deter many athletes coming to the Olympics, but to let in just enough to get the Olympics on the road. The result? An increase in the chances of Japanese athletes winning medals, because they'll make up most of the athletes competing.
Giulia
And people with job offers and work visa (new entry) still can't enter Japan and risk their jobs... Are you kidding me?