Foreign students campaign against entry ‘discrimination’
International students are speaking out against strict entry policies for foreigners imposed by Japan to control COVID-19 transmission and have started a campaign to lobby for entry permits for around 2,000 students unable to take up their places at Japanese universities this year.
Students said Japan’s border policies make it very difficult to come to Japan to pursue their studies despite being accepted at Japanese universities, causing financial loss and mental anguish.
At an online press conference aired in Japan this week, two Italian students stuck in their country despite being accepted to Japanese universities for this academic year said via video link that Japan’s border controls were discriminatory. They argued such strict regulations are unfair as Japan prepares to permit international athletes to enter for the Olympic Games slated for this July.