Japan NOT to Accept Long-Stay Foreigners Who Don't Know Japanese

[saikira]

Japan's Foreign Ministry and Justice Ministry have considered making Japanese language ability a requirement for foreigners seeking long-term residency and when screening their residency permits, it has been learned.

The aim of the measures is to make it easier for the increasing number of non-Japanese in Japan to blend into the community, and provide an increased incentive for foreigners coming to Japan to learn Japanese.

Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura announced the proposed move in a news conference on Tuesday.

"Japanese language ability is important to increase the quality of foreigners' own lifestyles, and is also important for Japanese society," he said. "It will be a very good thing if this builds momentum for people to say, 'I'm going to study Japanese in order to go to Japan.'"



The government bodies are expected to consider whether to include Japanese language ability as a new screening standard for people entering the country, and consider checking whether foreigners' Japanese language ability has improved when renewing their residence permits.

However, some government officials have expressed reservations about the proposed measures, saying there is a possibility it could result in valuable human resources not being able to enter the country.

Source: Mainichi

[Chibi-Chibi]

donno if i should be happy or sad about it >.<
My plans about Japan are quite weird but well i'm learning Japanese at the moment because i'm interested in the language so i should be fine in any case XD

Chibi

[radiantfire]

It's reasonable. I mean if you want to stay in their country then you've gotta be able to speak and understand their language. It reduces any hazards associated with miscommunication.

[Yochoko]

I can understand this only if they seek the Japanese nationality. But if it's not the case, what the heck?! There are people who are interested in Japan for different reasons. They don't all end up with the same and unique interest as "I LOVE this country! I wanna learn its language and culture!" There are people sent from the foreign companies to work in Japan, not to learn Japanese nor its culture. Sure, it'd help, but not necessary. Seriously, it's none of Japan's business if foreigners want to learn Japanese or not. Unless they ask for the Japanese nationality.

[Fralin]

yocho seems get pissed of with this

im quite agree with u too yochoko, they should not doing this
although is reasonable, but its something we cant forced about to other people
not a problem if we really interested in the language and really want to learn
in my case, i like "nihongo" , but i dont think i can speak japanese good enough
since im a slow learner

@saikira
is it mention for how long we foreign stay there?

[gorn_nova]

Well..I think it's hard to live in Japan without knowing Japanese language

[Yochoko]

It is always hard to live in a country where you don't speak the language. But you can also find a way to live around without deepening your knowledge of the language. It's your choice. So, my point is forcing people to learn Japanese or being selective is wrong. Also, one can appreciate the culture of a country without being able to speak the language. It's just plain stupid (in my opinion) to impose the Japanese language ability as a requirement for long term stay in Japan. They aren't immigrants. They are there with their own money and diverse reasons. They don't always necessarily need to blend in the Japanese society and people.

[wich]

Depending on the actual requirements imposed I think this is a good thing. I feel that if you want to go to a country, you should learn the language.

So like for instance, make no requirements for people working in Japan for less then 3 or 6 months or something. Then for anyone wishing to take longer residency, they should be able to know the kana and do basic things like order a meal, do grocery shopping, ask for directions, that sort of thing, when they come to Japan. After someone's been in Japan for a longer time they should be more proficient, for instance JLPT 4 after a year, JLPT 3 after two, JLPT 2 after four or whatever.

[Yochoko]

My point is why they need a control for those "asking directions" in the streets or "ordering something", or "doing shopping"... And why do they need to control it by some sort of test? It's their freedom if they want to stay in a foreign country within the permission of this very country. And, yes, I'm aware that Japan wants to make a new criteria in this permission. But seriously, it's already strict enough for foreigners to be able to stay in Japan. And for the real deep knowledge of the language should be required only for the case of naturalization. I'm pissed because they do naturalize some foreign sports players easily even though they are unable to make a complete sentence in Japanese.

By the way, I'm Japanese and because of that, I'm very pissed about this.

[wich]

My point is why they need a control for those "asking directions" in the streets or "ordering something", or "doing shopping"... And why do they need to control it by some sort of test?

I don't really have a problem with a requirement for this, and them having control on this. The problem is that it is difficult and costly to manage this. Here in the Netherlands they are also working on naturalisation programs and whatnot and I can tell you that it is absolutely daft, the people who drew up this program must be complete idiots.

It's their freedom if they want to stay in a foreign country within the permission of this very country. And, yes, I'm aware that Japan wants to make a new criteria in this permission. But seriously, it's already strict enough for foreigners to be able to stay in Japan. And for the real deep knowledge of the language should be required only for the case of naturalization. I'm pissed because they do naturalize some foreign sports players easily even though they are unable to make a complete sentence in Japanese.

Yes, this is very bad and I am completely against that, but that is the way of politics and unfortunately there isn't very much we can do about it.

By the way, I'm Japanese and because of that, I'm very pissed about this.

Well, I'm Dutch and we have very many nationalities living in our borders, many naturalized, many not. And I really do feel that those who live here for more than say half a year should put in the effort to study the language. But as I said, it's difficult to enforce this without being complete control freaks and without imposing unreasonable restrictions. There should be a balance there, but yeah, politicians have a bad way with balance...

[Jer]

All countries should do this. I can understand a tourist might not know the language of your country, but a resident should be required to be able to read, write, and speak properly. They cannot function properly in society otherwise.

[nixx]

I dont think its that hard. I am indonesian and then my family moved to Hong Kong cuz of my dad's job and i live there for 7 years be4 i went to univ. I went to american school and never learn cantonese (language in HK). but cuz i live there for so long, i just picked up some stuff when people are talkin and i just ask my hk friends what it means. Now if strangers talk to me in cantonese i would pick up some keywords and know what they are talkin about sometimes (simple stuff) but i just dont know how to reply cuz i never learn it. So the point i am trying to make is that by living in the country you're bound to pick up something whether you're trying or not. so makin a lil more effort to take lesson or even self learn from a book will most likely improve ur japanese

I still dont get what it means by "long term stay". Is that mean apply for residency or how long is "long term" (in years)?

[person]

This does make some sense.
If by long term they mean by years, then yes it makes sense for the people to know how to speak Japanese. Though if it's only a few months, that shouldn't be a problem right?

[nurul_hussin]

There must be reasons why japan gov sets this regulations. For foreigners to stay in other countries they should learn the national language and adapt to their cultures. So, I guess many Japanese will agree with gov proposal since the foreigners will able to understand them more.

[vagabond888]

What for if you want to have long stay in Japan when you don't know how to speak Japanese. I guess same as well in other country, one must adapt their culture.