RetireJapan

adamu wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:17 am

eyeswideshut wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:06 am there is no practical reason for treating non-citizen residents differently than citizens

There is, and it's because they *can't* restrict citizens constitutionally, but they can restrict non-citizens. Maybe I'm naive but I really think it's a case of practical decision making given the extraordinary circumstances.

They can impose a 2-weeks quarantine on all residents entering the country (nationals and other permanents ones). That would certainly be more effective than assuming Japanese nationals didn't get the virus after a trip to Hawaii...

Sadly, this looks more like politics getting in the way of both common sense and individual freedoms.

The government’s decision is extremely disturbing and calls the definition of PERMANENT into question.

Where do they expect people to go if not to their home which they legally own in their country of residence?

I certainly couldn’t go back to “my” country. Nowhere to live. No job. Japan IS my country. Apart from voting for those who represent me, and who made this decision, I live the same life as everyone else in this country. They’re quick enough to take my tax.

We need to keep a VERY careful eye on when this restriction is lifted. It could stay in place for months or years.

There is a suggestion that “in principal” means you could get special permission to return before you left.

adamu wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:17 am

eyeswideshut wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:06 am there is no practical reason for treating non-citizen residents differently than citizens

There is, and it's because they *can't* restrict citizens constitutionally, but they can restrict non-citizens. Maybe I'm naive but I really think it's a case of practical decision making given the extraordinary circumstances.

By 'practical' I mean effective in reducing the infection rate, not whether the measures are legal or not under the constitution. Citizens are just as likely to get and infect others as non-citizens so there is no practical reason for this.

By 'non-citizen residents' I mean foreigners that live here, not tourists. Obviously the right to enter the country for those who have not yet been granted a visa can be limited. But for those who have a legal right to live in Japan this is abhorrent. I am no constitutional law expert but I am pretty sure that constitutionally protected human rights are extended to all residents of Japan, not just Japanese citizens, so unless this restriction is struck down by the courts in short order, I will be re-thinking my residency in a country that believes I am undeserving of the same human rights granted to its citizens.

Fairly disappointed by some of the shrug-of-the-shoulder apologist comments here, but I suppose it is an internet forum at the end of the day.

Here's hoping none of us has a family emergency, such as a death in the family, back home... horrible situation the Japanese government will be foistering upon us. And I have zero confidence that a quick decision would be made by immigration officials on whether a personal family emergency, based on my word, is deemed worthy of an exception to the no-entry rule.

mighty58 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2020 4:10 pm Fairly disappointed by some of the shrug-of-the-shoulder apologist comments here, but I suppose it is an internet forum at the end of the day.

Here's hoping none of us has a family emergency, such as a death in the family, back home... horrible situation the Japanese government will be foistering upon us. And I have zero confidence that a quick decision would be made by immigration officials on whether a personal family emergency, based on my word, is deemed worthy of an exception to the no-entry rule.

Agreed. Add to that the practicalities of getting a flight anywhere. Even if I wanted to I’m not sure how I could actually travel to the UK right now.

I have thought about the travel thing as I have an 80 year old father in the UK with health problems. Actually I don’t think I would choose to travel at the moment under any circumstances but I do have a sister still living in the UK.

Beaglehound wrote: ↑Thu Apr 09, 2020 1:17 am I have thought about the travel thing as I have an 80 year old father in the UK with health problems. Actually I don’t think I would choose to travel at the moment under any circumstances but I do have a sister still living in the UK.

I am in the same situation. It is worrying that I won't be able to go back at short notice, but thankfully the family and my father completely understand. Just hope things get back to normal before too long.

According to my fiancee who works at an embassy of a European country, the EU is discussing about the return restrictions of European who live in Japan with the Japanese government. As the EU allows Japanese who live in Europe to come back to Europe, they are expecting that Japan applies the same treatment to EU citizens who live in Japan.

mighty58 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2020 4:10 pm Fairly disappointed by some of the shrug-of-the-shoulder apologist comments here, but I suppose it is an internet forum at the end of the day.

Here's hoping none of us has a family emergency, such as a death in the family, back home... horrible situation the Japanese government will be foistering upon us. And I have zero confidence that a quick decision would be made by immigration officials on whether a personal family emergency, based on my word, is deemed worthy of an exception to the no-entry rule.

My step father actually caught the Covid back in my home country, about a few days after the announcement by Japanese government. So I had to start thinking, if the worst happens, can I go? Do I go? He is doing fine for now, so hopefully I won't have to actually make the choice. But it is a really low blow from the Jp gov.

I hope your dad recovers.

I’m in a similar situation, although my parents are both healthy.

As I said, the practicality of getting a flight almost renders it a non-issue.

I’ve seriously thought that I would have to attend a funeral online.

Even if I got to the UK, getting around would be extremely difficult right now.