{"id":16166,"date":"2020-07-16T11:26:53","date_gmt":"2020-07-16T18:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=16166"},"modified":"2020-07-17T10:12:07","modified_gmt":"2020-07-17T17:12:07","slug":"american-chamber-of-commerce-in-japan-calls-on-j-govt-to-cease-double-standard-restricting-their-travel-economic-and-familial-opportunities-based-on-nationality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=16166","title":{"rendered":"American Chamber of Commerce in Japan calls on J govt to cease “double standard restricting [Foreign Japan Residents’] travel, economic, and familial opportunities based on nationality” in Coronavirus policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hi Blog. \u00a0Now the ACCJ has spoken out against the Japanese government’s coronavirus policy treatment of NJ Residents that you see nowhere else in fellow developed countries<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As Debito.org concurs with a resounding cheer (as it’s what we’ve been saying all along<\/a>), the ACCJ notes in its second statement:<\/p>\n

“Such individuals, especially those with permanent residency (eijuken) and their accompanying family members or those who are immediate family members of Japanese nationals, and those with long-term working visas and their accompanying family members, need to be allowed to enter Japan under the same conditions as Japanese citizens to continue living and working in this country. Such foreign nationals are actively and positively contributing to Japan\u2019s economy and society, and do not pose any greater risk than Japanese citizens re-entering Japan… At minimum, Japan should adopt the approach of other G7 countries to allow foreigners with established residency status and their immediate family members to depart and enter the country on the same basis as Japanese nationals.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bravo. \u00a0This is in addition to the recent\u00a0Japan Association of National Universities’ similar call on behalf of international students<\/a>. \u00a0Courtesy of TJL. \u00a0Debito Arudou, Ph.D.<\/p>\n

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THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN JAPAN CALLS ON GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN FOR EQUAL TREATMENT OF ALL RESIDENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/static1.squarespace.com\/static\/5eb491d611335c743fef24ce\/t\/5f0c1ed4aee1c9281ab07fc0\/1594629845288\/200713+PR_English.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

JULY 13, 2020 [TOKYO] \u2013 The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) today issued a second statement<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>[included below] in response to re-entry travel restrictions placed on residents of Japan who are not Japanese citizens and called on the Government of Japan to provide fair and equal treatment for all residents regardless of nationality.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cForeign residents of Japan who have made a decision to build a life here and contribute to the Japanese economy should not be subject to a double standard restricting their travel, economic, and familial opportunities based on nationality,\u201d said Christopher J. LaFleur, ACCJ Chairman. \u201cWhile we applaud and support the Japanese government\u2019s efforts to manage the COVID-19 crisis, a resident\u2019s nationality provides no basis on which to assess risk or assign travel privilege in relation to COVID-19.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Foreign nationals actively and positively contribute to Japan\u2019s economy and society, and do not pose any greater risk than Japanese citizens re-entering Japan.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The ACCJ statement expresses concern among our international business community that the prohibition currently in place is detrimental to Japan\u2019s long-term interests, in particular as to Japan\u2019s attractiveness as a place to invest and station managerial employees with regional responsibility.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The ACCJ requests that the Japanese Government establish a re-entry permit or process whereby travelers entering Japan under the \u2018humanitarian\u2019 exception can receive an assurance that they will be admitted to Japan before they board flights outside of Japan.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The ACCJ also requests that any measures taken to permit Japanese nationals to travel for business, or, in the future, travel for other purposes, also apply equally to foreign nationals with proper permanent residency as well as their spouses and children, foreign nationals who are spouses or children of Japanese nationals, long- term visa holders and their accompanying family members, and foreign nationals residing in Japan under a Japanese working visa.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally, the ACCJ would like to see the Japanese government announce clear timelines for the resumption of travel and implement clear policies with the minimum documentation necessary. This will enable those properly desiring to return to Japan to make plans free of anxiety and continue their contributions to Japan\u2019s economy, society, and international relations<\/em><\/strong>. \u00a0ENDS<\/p>\n

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About ACCJ<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) was established in 1948 by representatives of 40 American companies. Over its 72-year history, the ACCJ has positioned itself as one of the most influential business organizations in Japan. The ACCJ has approximately 3,000 members who together represent over 600 globally minded companies with offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Working closely with the U.S. and Japanese governments, business organizations and others, the ACCJ engages in activities that advance its mission of further developing commerce between the U.S. and Japan, promoting the interests of U.S. companies and members, and improving the international business environment in Japan including the commitment to demonstrating responsible corporate citizenship. The ACCJ\u2019s more than 60 committees represent a variety of industries and make policy recommendations through advocacy tools such as viewpoints, public comments, and white papers. The ACCJ holds on average 500 events and seminars a year, many of which focus on government policy and economic trends. The ACCJ is also committed to promoting charitable and CSR activities.<\/em><\/p>\n

PRESS CONTACT: ACCJ Communications<\/strong> (comms@accj.or.jp<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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FULL ACCJ STATEMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/static1.squarespace.com\/static\/5eb491d611335c743fef24ce\/t\/5f0433e6e9c21e3821625bca\/1594110951359\/200707+Second+Statement+on+re-entry+travel+restrictions.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

July 7, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Statement on Re-entry Restrictions Placed on Permanent Resident and Visa Holders<\/strong><\/p>\n

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) expresses our concerns regarding Japan\u2019s immigration authorities\u2019 limitations on the entry of non-Japanese nationals residing in Japan during the COVID-19 crisis.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The ACCJ understands and supports Japan\u2019s efforts to protect itself from further spread of the virus, including Japan\u2019s decision to enforce a mandatory 14-day quarantine on those returning to Japan from countries where the risk is greatest. We also recognize the progress in clarifying the conditions and criteria for, and the process under which, foreign residents of Japan may receive permission to re-enter Japan for humanitarian reasons.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are concerned, however, that the prohibition currently in place on the entry into Japan of foreign nationals who have a permanent abode, family, and work base in Japan is detrimental to Japan\u2019s long-term interests, in particular as to Japan\u2019s attractiveness as a place to invest and station managerial employees with regional responsibility.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Such individuals, especially those with permanent residency (eijuken) and their accompanying family members or those who are immediate family members of Japanese nationals, and those with long-term working visas and their accompanying family members, need to be allowed to enter Japan under the same conditions as Japanese citizens to continue living and working in this country. Such foreign nationals are actively and positively contributing to Japan\u2019s economy and society, and do not pose any greater risk than Japanese citizens re-entering Japan.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We would also note that through the payment of local and national taxes, the consumption of goods and services from the local economy, and the support for companies both local and international, Japan\u2019s foreign residents and workers play an important role in ensuring Japan\u2019s economic growth and good relations with global partners. Their contributions will be all the more important as Japan looks to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful that the Government of Japan treated the\u00a0foreign community in Japan on an equal basis by designating duly registered foreign residents as eligible for the recent COVID-19 stimulus payment.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

More immediately, we respectfully request that the Japanese Government establish a process whereby travelers entering Japan under the \u2018humanitarian\u2019 exception can receive an assurance that they will be admitted to Japan before they board flights outside of Japan. This is because airlines are generally obligated to return, at their own expense, travelers rejected entry to a country. For this reason, we understand that many airlines are refusing to board any non-Japanese nationals on flights to Japan because of the regulatory uncertainty. This process could be notionally similar to the current re-entry permit application system, and it could be thought of as a “coronavirus re-entry permit” granted at the time the traveler leaves Japan or by special application to a designated Japanese Embassy, Consulate or other designated entity.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We respectfully request that, as the government’s Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters considers which further steps it might take to ease restrictions on travel and measures taken to permit Japanese nationals to travel for business, or, in the future, travel for other purposes, any decisions also apply equally to foreign nationals with proper permanent residency as well as their spouses and children, foreign nationals who are spouses or children of Japanese nationals, long-term visa holders and their accompanying family members, and foreign nationals residing in Japan under a Japanese working visa. At minimum, Japan should adopt the approach of other G7 countries to allow foreigners with established residency status and their immediate family members to depart and enter the country on the same basis as Japanese nationals. In the event that is not done, any guidance provided should be based on objective standards and any advance clearance provided should be in writing and should be recognized as an official approval at the point of entry into Japan.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We hope that the Japanese government will announce clear timelines for the resumption of travel and implement clear policies with the minimum documentation necessary. This will enable those properly desiring to return to Japan to make plans free of anxiety and continue contributing to Japan\u2019s economy, society, and international relations.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We respectfully request that the Japanese government considers these concerns and suggestions as critical work continues to protect Japan from the effects of the pandemic and encourage its recovery.<\/em><\/strong> ENDS<\/p>\n

======================
\nDo you like what you read on Debito.org? \u00a0Want to help keep the archive active and support Debito.org’s activities? \u00a0Please consider donating a little something. \u00a0More details here<\/a>. Or if you prefer something less complicated, just click on an advertisement below.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Now the ACCJ has spoken out against the Japanese government’s coronavirus policy treatment of NJ Residents that you see nowhere else in fellow developed countries. \u00a0This is in addition to the Japan Association of National Universities’ similar call on behalf of international students: <\/p>\n

ACCJ: The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) today issued a second statement\u00a0[included below] in response to re-entry travel restrictions placed on residents of Japan who are not Japanese citizens and called on the Government of Japan to provide fair and equal treatment for all residents regardless of nationality. \u201cForeign residents of Japan who have made a decision to build a life here and contribute to the Japanese economy should not be subject to a double standard restricting their travel, economic, and familial opportunities based on nationality,\u201d said Christopher J. LaFleur, ACCJ Chairman. \u201cWhile we applaud and support the Japanese government\u2019s efforts to manage the COVID-19 crisis, a resident\u2019s nationality provides no basis on which to assess risk or assign travel privilege in relation to COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foreign nationals actively and positively contribute to Japan\u2019s economy and society, and do not pose any greater risk than Japanese citizens re-entering Japan. The ACCJ statement expresses concern among our international business community that the prohibition currently in place is detrimental to Japan\u2019s long-term interests… <\/p>\n

“Such individuals, especially those with permanent residency (eijuken) and their accompanying family members or those who are immediate family members of Japanese nationals, and those with long-term working visas and their accompanying family members, need to be allowed to enter Japan under the same conditions as Japanese citizens to continue living and working in this country. Such foreign nationals are actively and positively contributing to Japan\u2019s economy and society, and do not pose any greater risk than Japanese citizens re-entering Japan… At minimum, Japan should adopt the approach of other G7 countries to allow foreigners with established residency status and their immediate family members to depart and enter the country on the same basis as Japanese nationals.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,54,28,34,50,35,5,12,4,16,13,11,53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-embedded-racism","category-pinprick-protests","category-anti-discrimination-templates","category-exclusionism","category-gaiatsu","category-good-news","category-human-rights","category-immigration-assimilation","category-japanese-government","category-labor-issues","category-media","category-problematic-foreign-treatment","category-unsustainable-japanese-society"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16166"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16166\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16170,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16166\/revisions\/16170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}