NHK



 

Demonstrators in several countries have called on the Japanese government to ease its coronavirus entry restrictions.

Participants gathered on Friday in front of Japanese embassies and other places in eight countries, including Germany, Spain and Bangladesh. Those who took part were people trying to come to Japan for study and other purposes.

Japan has barred new foreign arrivals through the end of February as part of its border controls against the Omicron variant.

The demonstrators held up pieces of paper with messages such as "Stop Japan's Ban" and "Waiting for two years."

Jade Barry launched a group that called for the demonstrations. She said members want a specific roadmap and date to plan for entry. She said she loves Japan and its people.

Japan's Immigration Services Agency says that as of October 1, about 147,800 foreigners who wanted to study in Japan were unable to enter the country.

In late January, the government started allowing 87 foreign students with Japanese government scholarships to enter the country.

Officials say these people are special cases who have to take in-person classes to meet imminent deadlines for graduation or the completion of their academic work.

The government says it will be flexible in its consideration of whether to grant more exemptions to the entry ban, based on humanitarian grounds, national interests and other special circumstances.