Koreans in Japan not required to carry special permit under amendment

Friday 22nd May, 06:37 AM JST

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lordomni at 01:32 AM JST - 23rd May

Not discriminated against legally though. The kinds of things done in Japan are a little insane. A student told me once that they can do anything they want to foreigners and its not racism, because its everyone. When I asked about Japanese they said 'Japanese people don't commit crimes'

sigh This country has so much potential, but just flushes it down the education system. Or indoctrination system, whichever.
bdiego at 02:57 AM JST - 23rd May

Clearly a lot of comments here don't appreciate the fact that these people of Korean descent consider themselves Japanese, speak Japanese, and eat Japanese food all their life. They aren't allowed Japanese citizenship, but most of them would take it if offered. And the reason they're here is because they were enslaved.

It would be like the USA denying citizenship to descendants of black slaves and then adding "If you don't like that, why don't you go back to your own country?"

Idiots.
XXXXX at 03:03 AM JST - 23rd May

aren't they Japanese?? why complicate it any further, it's recession out there and they should abstain from the luxury of flipflopping on such matters. Get your act together!
federale at 05:51 AM JST - 23rd May

What are the foreigners' complaints? What human rights abuses? If you are a guest in another country, you must obey the rules. What abuse is it to carry an identification card? None. This is just a complaint by those who support illegal immigration and those who want to destroy Japan's culture. And they support more crime as well.
JmannGod at 05:59 AM JST - 23rd May

why must I as a permanent resident be seen differently as a Korean PR? If the measures are to prevent overstayers... ahhh Hello I'm a permanent resident...I CANNOT overstay!

Nice one Knews... 'all part of the fun' - where else can you be finger printed every time you interact with the bureaucracy?, where else can you be held without for a month without a lawyer? Where else will your child be subjected to mental abuse because they have a foreign parent?, where else is it acceptable abduct children from another country?

Clearly you have been here for 2-3 years and know squat!
GJDailleult at 07:38 AM JST - 23rd May

Seems to be a misconception among some that Koreans in Japan are denied the right to become Japanese citizens. Actually they can become citizens, it is the terms and conditions attached to becoming a citizen, especially the required name change, that mean many choose not to. Of course, if Japan didn't have such outdated citizenship laws in the first place, it wouldn't be an issue. Dual citizenship is an inevitability due to the demographic problem Japan has, but expect lots of kicking and screaming before they get there.
WMD at 09:05 AM JST - 23rd May

Nice post JmannGod, the naivety of the newbie is so amusing!

All PRs should be treated the same, Koreans or otherwise. Thus, no criminal fingerprinting, no re-entry visas and no carrying the card around all the time.
jackseoul at 05:20 PM JST - 23rd May

GJDailleult,

Seems to be a misconception among some that Koreans in Japan are denied the right to become Japanese citizens. Actually they can become citizens, it is the terms and conditions attached to becoming a citizen, especially the required name change, that mean many choose not to. Of course, if Japan didn't have such outdated citizenship laws in the first place, it wouldn't be an issue. Dual citizenship is an inevitability due to the demographic problem Japan has, but expect lots of kicking and screaming before they get there.

I think you're mostly correct.

Also, someone mentioned that Korean immigration laws are more draconian than Japanese laws, but consider Korea's predicament in trying to save their identity after Japanese occupation. Most people post without knowing the history between the two nations. Korea has been attacked by Japan as well as China and also by the Mongols. Fifteen years ago in Korea, you couldn't even find music or literature in native Japanese. They both have come a long way.
moshiso7 at 10:25 PM JST - 23rd May

Those who say "a non-Japanese person who was born, grew up in Japan eating Japanese food and speak Japanese is Japanese" are weasels who like to protect other weasels. But if Japanese want to send back the ethnic Koreans back to Korea then I have to agree that they have to apologize first before doing so rather than in a pompous manner. Koreans who naturalize are weak Koreans. They should be ashamed of themselves. I don't think they can't speak Korean for lack of opportunity but because of inferiority complex mixed with Japanese wannabe-ness mentality among other things.
noborito at 12:11 AM JST - 24th May

Guests in Japan, that is quit funny. 90% of Japanese hotels don't want foreigners staying there. 80% of Japanese can't speak understandable languages other than Japanese. 70% of Japanese really have no interest in being a real friend. Is this how Japanese treat their guests. Without us, Japan would be a 3rd world country. They seem not to have figured this out yet.
jackseoul at 01:09 AM JST - 24th May

moshiso7,

Koreans who naturalize are weak Koreans. They should be ashamed of themselves. I don't think they can't speak Korean for lack of opportunity but because of inferiority complex mixed with Japanese wannabe-ness mentality among other things.

why are Koreans who naturalize weak Koreans? Would that be the same for other ethnic groups who move to the USA for example? Isn't it usual to "do as the Romans do?" Anyway, naturalizing would give anyone more opportunities, would it not? Who wouldn't want more opportunities for themselves and their children?

Inferiority complex... this I have not seen.

Japanese wannabe-ness mentality? That's like saying Canadians have an American wannabe-ness mentality... people strive to be as good or better as the next guy.
knews at 01:36 AM JST - 24th May

Potsu

Could you clarify your poorly-written sentence for me?

JmannGod

Actually been here 16 years now. Do you get fingerprinted anywhere other than Narita airport each time you arrive? Mental abuse for kids with a foreign parent? Is that really so different from many other countries? Kids have to put up with all sorts of unfair things and, hopefully, it makes them stronger and more tolerant as they grow up. More info on your abduction comment so that I might reply. Thanks.
Blackops at 03:31 PM JST - 27th May

I am a permanent resident and find it stupid that if you are a Korean or Chinese PR you do not have to carry a gaikokujin card or have your prints taken at the airport but if you are a PR from some other country like Australia you still are treated like a tourist only!
amerijap at 11:14 PM JST - 27th May

In this respect, the JP government makes a fair decision on permanent residents of Korean descent. I still don't know how a special certificate to foreigners makes a difference between permanent residents of foreigners and non-resident aliens. And what about other foreigners who just acquired a JP citizenship or a permanent resident certificate?
jonnyboy at 02:34 PM JST - 28th May

i'm surprised to never see much noise made about the necessity to take a japanese name when naturalising. this seems unnecessary, insulting and horribly out of date. imagine if a japanese became a british citizen and was expected to become bob smith.