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Japan’s Foreigner Ban Over Omicron Raises Memories of Isolation History
Wall Street Journal ^ | 1/11/22 | Miho Inada

Posted on 01/11/2022 9:58:30 AM PST by MAGA2017

TOKYO— Jiaul Baksh, an aspiring doctor in Kolkata, India, hasn’t been able to sleep well lately, and the news Tuesday won’t help.

Japan said it would keep barring almost all foreigners from entering the country until at least the end of February, citing the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The 28-year-old Mr. Baksh was originally supposed to start medical studies at Keio University in Tokyo in March 2021. After months of delay, Japan said in early November it would open the door for student visas, only to shut it even more tightly on Nov. 30 because of the Omicron variant.

“I’m waiting and sitting here,” said Mr. Baksh, who hopes to become an ophthalmologist. He said he and other students in a similar situation “rant about Japan” on social media.

Japanese voters, however, are cheering the tough stance of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, highlighting tension over foreign visitors that resonates centuries back into the nation’s history.

Under the rules extended Tuesday, no foreigner can be newly admitted to the country for work, study or tourism, with only rare exceptions involving critical national interest. Foreigners who already have residence status can return from travel abroad.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ban; foreigner; japan; omicron
I have no problem with Japan doing this. Secure borders matter.
1 posted on 01/11/2022 9:58:30 AM PST by MAGA2017
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To: MAGA2017

Japan is a sovereign country and they have every right to close their ports and borders as they see fit. At the same time they do not bar Japanese citizens from leaving Japan or returning to Japan.


2 posted on 01/11/2022 10:02:23 AM PST by MercyFlush (DANGER: You are being conditioned to view your freedom as selfish)
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To: MAGA2017
“I’m waiting and sitting here,” said Mr. Baksh, who hopes to become an ophthalmologist. He said he and other students in a similar situation “rant about Japan” on social media.

What an arrogant prick. Hopefully authorities will see this and never let him in. Japan OWES you NOTHING.

3 posted on 01/11/2022 10:02:54 AM PST by montag813
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To: montag813

Exactly. There are other places where he can get his medical studies.


4 posted on 01/11/2022 10:05:12 AM PST by MAGA2017
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To: montag813

“Japan OWES you NOTHING.”

Including Baksh(eesh).


5 posted on 01/11/2022 10:08:46 AM PST by decal (MOLON JABE)
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To: MAGA2017

I was hoping to visit Japan and my extended family, but...


6 posted on 01/11/2022 10:15:28 AM PST by struggle
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To: MAGA2017

I’m not bothered by this. If we gaijin assimilate for the most part here, we are very welcome - at least in my case. I’ve never had any serious trouble with racist douchebags in nearly 25 years. The rock n roll scene is awesome, the food is great, and the only foreigners we have here are here on qualified business, academic, or other visas that require scrutiny. It’s really nice to not have a bunch of loser immigrants. They kicked all the scum suckers out between 20 and 10 years ago - many African, Iranian, Eastern European - well anyone from anywhere, including the USA, Canada, UK, France, etc., that was able to get in and lead a criminal life - that sold the drugs and caused all the trouble, and it’s been lovely. If you desire to get out of the KKKalifornia-ization of AmeriKa, Japan is a great place to move to for work and peace if you are up for the challenge of learning the language and have an adventurous personality - and if you love heavy metal.


7 posted on 01/11/2022 10:15:56 AM PST by lefty-lie-spy (Stay Metal)
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To: montag813

How ironic that an aspiring ophthalmologist CAN’T SEE a nation closing its borders to deal with a pandemic that I’m sure he learned to respect in his undergrad.


8 posted on 01/11/2022 10:19:07 AM PST by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: MAGA2017

Japan is an island nation with no land border with Mexico...
so freaking lucky!


9 posted on 01/11/2022 10:26:45 AM PST by entropy12 (President Trump was the best president in my life time of 81 years and counting..)
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To: lefty-lie-spy
I was a legal resident of Japan for 14 years and would run into some sort of racist douchebag about once every three years. For each of the five or so such incidents of the sort that I recall, there were at least thirty or so incidents of the locals going out of their way to be kind and helpful.

One particular incident still makes me smile to illustrate what the locals think of gaijin who mind their manners. I had had a hard day at work making several calls around Tokyo when I caught a homebound train with a rare open seat. I got to enjoy it for all of four or five stations later when an elderly couple got on the opposite end of the car and I hear the man say to his wife, "Gaijin men have a reputation for being kind to older women like you. Let's go stand over there and see if he gives you his seat." What else could I do?

10 posted on 01/11/2022 10:38:36 AM PST by Vigilanteman (The politicized state destroys aspects of civil society, human kindness and private charity.)
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To: MAGA2017

Japan wants to ban Foreigner!? I love that band.


11 posted on 01/11/2022 10:53:48 AM PST by Made In The USA (Ellen Ate Dynamite Good Bye Ellen)
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To: MAGA2017

Meanwhile, our current vaccines are basically worthless as per the Pfizer CEO!

Japan has probably figured that out!

Pfizer CEO: Our Vaccines Offer ‘Limited, If Any Protection’
townhall.com ^ | 1/11/2022 0900 hrs et | Katie Pavlich
Posted on 1/11/2022, 10:03:58 AM by rktman

Speaking during remarks to a J.P. Morgan healthcare conference this week, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla openly stated current vaccines the company developed for Wuhan coronavirus offer “limited, if any” protection against contracting current variants of the disease. He then encouraged booster shots.

The statement from Bourla comes as the Biden administration continues to justify vaccine mandates for federal workers, contractors and private businesses. The Supreme Court heard arguments about President Biden’s mandates for private companies and medical workers last week. A ruling is expected soon on the constitutionality of the mandates.

A number of people who have pointed out the waning efficacy of Pfizer’s vaccines, which Bourla touted last year as being “100 percent” effective against contracting or transmitting the virus, have been banned by social media companies.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com …

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2022/01/11/pfizer-ceo-our-vaccines-offer-little-protection-n2601670


12 posted on 01/11/2022 11:15:41 AM PST by Grampa Dave (Nietzsche: “Everything the State says is a lie, and everything the State has. It was stolen!”)
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To: Bikkuri

For your interest.


13 posted on 01/11/2022 12:12:19 PM PST by KC_Lion
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To: montag813

I wish our government would do the same thing :P


14 posted on 01/11/2022 4:05:15 PM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

“I’m not bothered by this. If we gaijin assimilate for the most part here, we are very welcome - at least in my case. I’ve never had any serious trouble with racist douchebags in nearly 25 years. The rock n roll scene is awesome, the food is great, and the only foreigners we have here are here on qualified business, academic, or other visas that require scrutiny. It’s really nice to not have a bunch of loser immigrants. They kicked all the scum suckers out between 20 and 10 years ago - many African, Iranian, Eastern European - well anyone from anywhere, including the USA, Canada, UK, France, etc., that was able to get in and lead a criminal life - that sold the drugs and caused all the trouble, and it’s been lovely. If you desire to get out of the KKKalifornia-ization of AmeriKa, Japan is a great place to move to for work and peace if you are up for the challenge of learning the language and have an adventurous personality - and if you love heavy metal.”

36 years in Japan . I too have had no “ serious trouble “ re: racism . I’ve lived and worked in Tokyo , Saitama, and Kumamoto where I now reside with my Japanese wife . Happy to say R&R is alive and well and it is not just metal . Shoegaze , 60’s cover or influenced bands , etc...abound .


15 posted on 01/12/2022 2:32:34 AM PST by sushiman
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To: lefty-lie-spy

I lived in Japan for a year, rather live there again as a Gaijin, then live in certain parts of the US as a citizen.


16 posted on 01/12/2022 3:19:29 AM PST by the_individual2014
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