Japan Holds Back China Again

▽More strict regulation over visas issued to Chinese students = For the purpose of preventing illegal residence and criminal activity, the Japanese government is making the screening process more strict for “certificates of residence qualification,” which is required to issue a visa to attend school. In the case of the Tokyo entrance administration office, the visa issue rate has markedly decreased to 45%, compared to 72% last year.

Because more than 70% of foreign students in Japan are Chinese, general opinion is that China is the main target of this policy. Indicating China, Mongol, Myanmar and Bangladesh as the “main sources of illegally residing people,” the Japanese Department of Justice announced its policy about more strict regulation over visa issuance. Japan requires foreign students of these countries to show a certificate of financial affidavit, and so on.

Although this policy is a result of recurrent serious crimes involving Chinese individuals, China is strongly resisting. “We are so regretful that Japan is enforcing a policy contrary to our benevolent policy, which has exempted the Japanese from visa obligations since last year,” the Chinese Embassy in Japan said. “It might cause a clash between China and Japan.”

Won-Jae Park parkwj@donga.com