We request the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Japan to lift the ban on issuing new student visas to those in posession of a valid student Certificate of Eligibility and to allow the wayfare of all international students if they test negative for COVID-19 and if they follow the sanitary requirements imposed by the Japanese government.

As part of the COVID-19 border enforcement measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan currently denies entry of foreign nationals from 159 countries and doesn't allow new students holding the original copies of their Cerificate of Eligibility to get their visas. The current policies in place bar new international students from starting their studies in Japan this September and negatively impact their education.

Foreign residents (including returning international students), however, are excempt to these restrictions. The recent policy, allowing residents to leave and re-enter the country, sheds light on the inconsistency of the regulations: with the necessary precautions taken, the hazard of possible mass infections caused by students is not greater than that of the citizens of Japan. 

Studying abroad requires a long-term stay in the country, boosts the economy and promotes intercultural understanding. It is something that can only be experienced in real life.

This petition aims to raise international awareness on the treatment of these students and to lobby for the change of policies to allow these individuals to have their life-changing opportunity.