Japan Offers Free Internet Access For Foreigners

[Mulboyne]

There is a catch.

Filipino seafarers serving in Japans merchant marine fleet are provided free access to the internet so that they can be in constant communication with their families in the Philippines. Quoting Yoji Fujisawa, All Japan Seamens Union (JSU) president, Philippines News Agency (PNA) said that internet access is part of a seafarers compensation package once he is recruited to serve on a Japanese ship. Over 50,000 Filipino sailors or 65 percent of Japans maritime personnel are currently deployed on the country's 3,000 merchant ships. He added that the ships officers are also instructed by ship-owners to provide time for their crews so that the latter could access the internet system aboard the vessel and thus communicate with families at home. Fujisawa further pointed out that the sailors internet access aboard ship is free of charge and is provided by the management to combat depression and homesickness among their crews. Aside from the internet, Fujisawa said, seamen serving aboard in Japanese ships are also provided free satellite phone access so that their communication with their families will have a more "human touch"...