The Japan Times’ columnist Donald Eubank has just written “Immigration procedures face huge shakeup“. Personally, I think it was fairly premature. Eubank writes about 3 major changes, two of which are deemed acceptable by foreigners, and one that is listed as dubious and uncertain even by immigration itself.

He cites the increase in visa period to 5 years, but as far as I recall this was something targeted only at people who showed sufficient Japanese language skills. Eubank didn’t mention that, so we don’t know the whole story here.

He cites the imminent demise of the reentry permit program, which I agree is a welcome relief. (more…)