This int’l student plans to ‘give up’ studying in Japan if border restrictions continue

The Japan travel ban has been an emotional rollercoaster for many international students as they wait to return to their studies on campus. Adding salt to the wound is the fact that Japanese citizens and residents are allowed to travel in and out of the country while stranded students and workers have not been given the green light to do so. 

Students have been voicing their concerns and frustrations on Twitter using the #educationisnottourism and #japantravelban hashtags. The Japan travel ban has been extended due to the Omicron variant, reports suggest it’s very likely borders will remain shut until next year. 

(1/4) This is the official reply we received yesterday by the Ministry of Education.
You can find the original request here: https://t.co/X67vSL9Yf8#japantravelban #educationisnottourism #日本留学の扉を開く #無駄にした青春を返せ #開国しなさいニッポン @konotarogomame @mextjapan pic.twitter.com/sauU5DLQQB

— Davide Rossi – educationisnottourism.com (@rossi_davide) December 9, 2021

Sujan Uprety, a 21-year-old Nepalese student at Japan Engineering College, speaks to us about how he’s coping with studying remotely since October 2020, despite having a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) —  a document that allows him to study in Japan:

What drew your interest to study in Japan?

I love Japanese culture and it’s always been my dream to live there. Many students from Nepal want to go there because the opportunity to get a better education along with a part-time job is higher. 

I’m a graduate student from Nepal and I decided to continue my studies abroad. I got my COE in August last year for the October intake, I sent my tuition fees and hostel fees in December, and I got an embassy appointment to get my student visa. 

But the Japan travel ban started in December 2020 so the embassies stopped issuing visas. Since then, I’ve been taking online classes. 

What other obstacles do you face with the Japan travel ban?

I definitely have struggled with my mental health during the Japan travel ban — the way they treat self-funded students is very disappointing. They give special allowances to DJs, musicians, athletes and VIP guests but none to us. 

I watch the news and follow the Japanese media to keep myself calm in the hopes that the government will open the borders for stranded students soon.

What more do you think should be done to help the students stranded outside of Japan?

The government should lift the Japan travel ban and give permission to self-funded international students that are COE holders to enter the country. We’re ready to follow the quarantine rules and most of us are vaccinated. 

Politics overpowers the Japan travel ban. There’s scientific evidence on the Omicron variant not being a huge threat and even then, Japan is the only G7 country still banning international students. 

What’s your uni doing to support you?

They’re doing online classes once a week in the hopes we stay connected with them.

“I got my COE in August last year for the October intake, I sent my tuition fees and hostel fees in December, and I got an embassy appointment to get my student visa,” he says. Source: Sujan Uprety

Do you have a backup plan if the Japan travel ban continues?

I’m tired of waiting so long. I plan to give up if they still continue the Japan travel ban beyond the last day of December. I will enrol in a school in my country and leave my dream behind because I chose to study in Japan, not study at home through online classes.

What would you advise those who want to study in Japan?

I don’t really know what to say. I think everyone who is waiting for the Japan travel ban to lift should raise their voices and share what they’re going through. I would advise prospective students to not apply right now during such uncertain times.