Goodbye Japan, the anguish of those who dreamed September 25, 8:17
Some people have dreamed of learning in their favorite country since they were little.
In a country where my loved ones live, there was a person who dreamed of living with me.
Their dreams are cut off just before they come true.
The country is Japan, and the two are worried about whether their dreams will be connected.
(International Department Reporter Yukari Kondo Toshiki Ishii Good Morning Japan Hinako Eguchi)
My favorite Japan, just before my dream
"My dream is to work in Japan. When I realized that I couldn't study abroad, I was very sad and depressed."
Joana Gubau, a Spaniard, said so.
22-year-old Gubau has loved Japanese anime and idols since he was a kid because of his father's influence.
Since I was a junior high school student, I longed for AKB48 songs and dances.
I became a big fan of Yuki Kashiwagi and Haruna Kojima.
I became interested in fashion as a result of Japanese idols, and my dream for the future was to work in Japan.
I made preparations with high school and university, and after graduating from university, I decided to study Japanese in Japan.
And from this spring, I will study abroad at a Japanese language school, and when I was about to take a step toward my dream, the person in charge of the study abroad agency told me.
"I can't study abroad in Japan"
Goodbye, and then to Korea
While taking measures against the new coronavirus, it was said that new international students are not currently accepted in Japan.
"I was sad and depressed and I didn't know what to do in the future."
"I graduated from a Spanish university last August and I have nowhere to go."
"I just don't want to stop studying abroad."
Under such circumstances, I learned that I could study abroad in Korea immediately, so I changed my destination to Korea just before the deadline for studying abroad.
I am currently studying Korean at a university in Seoul.
A longing Japan that once said goodbye to the corona.
Mr. Gubau's feelings are shaking as to whether he will go to Japan in the future.
"Even if I'm in Korea, I'm lonely when I think that I might have been in Japan now."
"
I'll be
in Korea until March next year, after
which I'll
stay in Korea or return to Spain to get a job. I don't know if I'm going to Japan now. "
Successive changes in study abroad destinations
How many foreigners like Mr. Gubau cannot study abroad in Japan due to the influence of the new corona?
Looking at the situation of Japanese language schools, which have a particularly large impact, there was a survey result conducted in July by "6 organizations related to Japanese language education institutions" to which 480 Japanese language schools belong.
Of the foreigners who are planning to enter this year, 93%, or 15,877, have no prospect of entering the country.
4% of 738 people stopped studying abroad.
Including those who were planning to enroll last year and have not yet entered the country, the number was more than 22,000.
While he cannot come to Japan, he seems to be changing his study abroad destination to South Korea or Taiwan one after another like Mr. Gubau.
Can the school itself survive?
I heard words from Japanese language school officials that raised a sense of crisis.
Principal of a Japanese language school that compiled the survey
"If changing the study abroad destination becomes a big trend, even if Japan relaxes the immigration restrictions, I do not know if it will choose Japan again."
"International students Since I haven't been able to enter Japan since I entered this year, when the current students graduate in March next year, about half of the schools may not be able to continue their business, and consideration of withdrawal has already begun. There is also. "
Measures that do not lead to giving up
“New international students have been unable to enter the country for a long time.”
Regarding this situation, Associate Professor Yuriko Sato of Tokyo Institute of Technology, who is familiar with international student policy, thinks that it is necessary to take measures not to give up studying abroad for the future.
Associate Professor Yuriko Sato
"Japanese language schools play a role in raising and sending international students to universities and vocational schools. If international students stop coming, it will lead to a decrease in the number of international students studying at universities and vocational schools throughout Japan."
"If so the future there is a long-term negative impact that would decrease the human resources necessary for Japan"
"by that vaccination of the new coronavirus has progressed, other countries began to resume the acceptance of international students And regions are emerging. I think it is necessary to take measures so that you will not give up studying abroad in Japan. "
What's happening now between Japan and overseas?
What is happening now between Japan and overseas?
I asked the person in charge of the Immigration Bureau of Japan and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
As a general rule, foreigners are not allowed to enter new countries from all countries and regions from January.
However, if there are "special circumstances", re-entry is possible if you have a "status of residence".
"Special circumstances" refers to circumstances that require humanitarian consideration such as funerals, childbirth, and surgery for relatives and families, and situations that have public interest. This is the case.
I can't qualify because I don't get a visa
"Residence status" is the qualification required to stay, and there are 38 qualifications such as "study abroad", "technical intern training", "technical / humanistic knowledge / international work".
Those who already have a status of residence can re-enter Japan, but in principle, the issuance of visas required to obtain a status of residence is currently suspended, so even if they wish to study abroad, they cannot obtain a status of residence. It is difficult to enter the country.
As a result, the average number of new foreign visitors per day in December last year was about 1,700, but this has dropped sharply to 52 in February and 65 in March.
In principle, new entry such as business trips and international students is not permitted, and it seems that Japan's border measures are stricter than in Europe and the United States.
Changes due to vaccination Measures at the border of each country
On the other hand, each country is moving to move to border measures based on vaccination.
From October, the United Kingdom says that immigrants from Japan and other countries will not need to be pre-examined or quarantined after entering the country if they have completed vaccination.
The United States has announced a policy of requiring foreigners entering the country to complete vaccination from early November, in addition to a negative test test within three days before departure.
And Japan.
In September, we changed our policy to review the border measures in stages.
The policy is to reduce the waiting period at home, etc. requested by immigrants from 14 days to 10 days, provided that they are vaccinated with vaccines approved in Japan such as Pfizer and Moderna.
In addition, as a countermeasure against mutant viruses such as Delta strains, we are considering exemption from the three-day waiting time required at accommodation facilities managed by the quarantine station, subject to vaccination.
However, the specifics such as the timing of implementation and the purpose of entering the country have not yet been clarified.
It is expected that it will take some time before discussions are held as to when the visa issuance required to obtain a status of residence such as study abroad will be resumed in earnest.
I can't meet my fiancé
International students are not the only ones facing the difficulty of entering the country and having a major impact.
Some people haven't seen their fiancée for nearly a year and a half.
I'm Ayano Hirose, 21 years old, living in Aichi prefecture.
In August, I met Deli Nanda Prayoga, a technical intern trainee, at my company.
The two, who started dating, got engaged last January and were blessed by each other's parents and were preparing for their marriage.
In April of that year, the visa as a technical intern trainee expired, and Mr. Deli returned to Indonesia once.
However, as immigration restrictions have become stricter, the two have never been able to meet after this.
Currently, legal spouses are allowed to enter the country, but fiancés and unmarried partners are not allowed to enter the country in principle, so Deli cannot enter the country.
Mr. Hirose has sent letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, and has shared his experiences on SNS.
However, SNS
received comments such as
"Is it the one who chose Gaijin?
You
should take responsibility" and
"Can you neglect the safety of the people at your convenience?"
It was a shock.
Mr. Hirose usually works as a medical office worker at a hospital.
I have seen the medical field that is tight due to the corona sickness up close, and I feel the need to control the infection situation.
However, I want the country to understand the weight of engagement, which promises to spend the future together.
Mr. Hirose
"If you can come to Japan, you can formally become a married couple. You can walk in the future. I want you to open the way."
Measures to save the dreamer
People like Mr. Hirose who can't meet their fiancée overseas are doing online signing activities.
Currently, about 4000 signatures have been collected, and when the target number is reached in the future, we plan to submit it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice.
On the website,
"I am refraining from enrolling with her foreign nationality. I am anxious for a system that will not be isolated from my family for a long time.
" There was an
urgent voice such as
"I
did."
Since the infection situation and medical system are different in each country, it is not possible to compare under the same conditions, but Singapore allows fiancés and others to enter the country, and other countries are also making such a move.
While there is a movement to review the border measures for entry into Japan, many people who dreamed of learning and living in Japan will learn whether or not they can come up with detailed measures to save people in difficult times while taking measures against infection. I am paying attention.