Gov't considering Japanese ability as visa requirement for long-term residents

[sublight]

The only requirement currently for language in the USA a simple comprehension of basic English (probably below a graded level on any language testing), which is required for Citizenship only.

Actually, there's a test on American history and government as well.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/blinstst_new.htm

Sample questions:
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Who was President during World War I?
Name one U.S. territory.

How many US citizens could become US citizens?

[amdg]

Sample questions:
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
- False. "How many" is not a whole number.
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
- I take the fifth.
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
- hanging from the rafters
- swinging from the chandelier
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
- The day you die. After that someone else had to send them in.
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
- Canada?
Who was President during World War I?
- Grover Cleveland is the correct answer for any question about US presidents.
Name one U.S. territory.
- Jay-Lo's Butt

[Iraira]

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
-Does that include those on fact finding missions in Tahiti?
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
-Does that include those routinely broken by the Administration?
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
-Missionary and Bill Clinton cigar-style?
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
-Depends on whether they still have debtor's prison.
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
-The Crusty Baugette
Who was President during World War I?
-President of what?
Name one U.S. territory.
-If I could I'd name a US territory, Irairaland.
How many US citizens could become US citizens?
-I'm not that that wasted, Mr. Hand, this is a trick question.

[ttjereth]

Actually, there's a test on American history and government as well.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/blinstst_new.htm

Sample questions:
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Who was President during World War I?
Name one U.S. territory.

How many US citizens could become US citizens?

I think he meant language requirement. The test has just recently or is soon going to redone. My grandmother (who is British) is waiting for the new, supposedly easier test before she goes for citizenship.

[Greji]

I have found amdg's test needed updating!

Sample questions:
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

Actual answer: Two. The rest are on junkets conducting such major research as the feasibility of whale meat as a staple food if it were marketed in Honolulu and is dancing a violation of labor statutes to Los Vegas show girls in their current enviornment?

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

Two and the ACLU have declared both unconstitutional

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Missionary and cornhaul

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

Actually, IRS does not like to set a limiting date. Saint Peter has forms at the gate for your convenience.

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

Roppongi and part of Ark Hills. They wanted to buy France itself, but it had already be purchased by pre-bubble Japanese business men, who had to sell it to a secret bidder at auction following the burst.

Who was President during World War I?

George Bush and it was his fault because he lied about the Red Baron.

Name one U.S. territory.
-

Shibuya. As nice as Jay-Lo's Butt really is, it is actually the property of the Republic of Puerto Rico and they are willing to go to war over it. Actually, who could blame them?

[Mulboyne]

It is unclear what kind of measures Japan has in mind but if language is made a requirement for something standard like a specialist in humanities work visa then a lot of companies will have to move their operations to HK or Singapore. For that reason, I don't think it will go through.

[Iraira]

It is unclear what kind of measures Japan has in mind but if language is made a requirement for something standard like a specialist in humanities work visa then a lot of companies will have to move their operations to HK or Singapore. For that reason, I don't think it will go through.

How they would administer such a language skills exam is another problem. Maybe someone at your company would just need to sign off stating that you speak some degree of J-go. I can't see the GOV people being so stupid that they would insist on deep fluency, spouting keigo off in all directions and being able to read a newspaper article as fast as a native. Could Roppongi survive another exodus?

[American Oyaji]

Tokyo is getting rid of undesireables out of the country before the betray the nation and hand over power to the Chinese for money that they won't get.

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]As a first step, the plan calls for checks on our vocal chords to see we are capable of speaking Japanese.

[ttjereth]

[Mulboyne]

This Sankei article (Japanese) suggests that the Japanese Language Proficiency Test might be used as the basis to assess language ability. The article says the exams would need to be held more frequently and could be supplemented with an interview in Japanese at embassies and consulates overseas. Exceptions would be necessary in the case of highly qualified immigrants such as doctors and lawyers in order that the language requirement does not become a barrier to entry. As well as helping with the various "social problems" that non-Japanese speaking residents cause, the measure is also being considered as a means to increase Japanese language learning which has been sluggish when compared with the global interest in languages like English and Chinese.

[Greji]

This Sankei article (Japanese) suggests that the Japanese Language Proficiency Test might be used as the basis to assess language ability. The article says the exams would need to be held more frequently and could be supplemented with an interview in Japanese at embassies and consulates overseas. Exceptions would be necessary in the case of highly qualified immigrants such as doctors and lawyers in order that the language requirement does not become a barrier to entry. As well as helping with the various "social problems" that non-Japanese speaking residents cause, the measure is also being considered as a means to increase Japanese language learning which has been sluggish when compared with the global interest in languages like English and Chinese.

That pretty well says it all. If we want you, we will let you in whether you speak the language well or not, if we don't want you, you ain't even getting a tourist's visa.

Does that sum it up?

[unkosando]

This Sankei article (Japanese) suggests that the Japanese Language Proficiency Test might be used as the basis to assess language ability. The article says the exams would need to be held more frequently and could be supplemented with an interview in Japanese at embassies and consulates overseas. Exceptions would be necessary in the case of highly qualified immigrants such as doctors and lawyers in order that the language requirement does not become a barrier to entry. As well as helping with the various "social problems" that non-Japanese speaking residents cause, the measure is also being considered as a means to increase Japanese language learning which has been sluggish when compared with the global interest in languages like English and Chinese.

I wonder if they give you credit for fake Japanese. Like adding "ne" to the end of your English sentence or being able to do a really good chicken neck bow while saying "otsukaresama desu."

[unkosando]

[YT]BMwNM7pROVE[/YT]

[james]

i'm not too worried since in the video they seem to be more focused on for-RAIN-ers..

[Iraira]

I noticed that Eikaiwa teachers were not mentioned as the "special folks". Does that mean that Japan is about to trash the entire Eikaiwa industry?

Additionally, I'm not too worried as they said that ":smoking: dealers:smoking: " would be exempt....

On second thought, that might mean that they are about to legalize gambling.

[eddie]

As nice as Jay-Lo's Butt really is, it is actually the property of the Republic of Puerto Rico and they are willing to go to war over it. Actually, who could blame them?

jay lenos butt?!!

oh sorry

[Mulboyne]

Japan worried about Britain doing the same:

Japanese community concerned about Britain's plans for English tests

The Japanese community in Britain is hoping the government will rethink plans for a new English language requirement for foreign nationals coming to work in the country. The Japanese Embassy in London has expressed "serious concern" at initial government plans to ensure that all skilled workers from outside the European Union seeking work visas have an "acceptable" level of English language proficiency. It was felt that the level suggested was too high for the many Japanese who come to Britain on "intra-corporate transfers" (ICTs) for periods of around three years. The Japanese Embassy in London, along with other foreign governments, has been lobbying hard to ensure that ICTs are exempted from the English language requirement or that the level of English required is reduced. An embassy spokesman told Kyodo News that the initial level of English proficiency suggested by the government would have been a "hindrance" to Japanese firms dispatching staff on regular transfers. But the spokesman said he now feels the government was listening to the concerns of the Japanese and is awaiting a statement from the government in the next few weeks...more...

[Behan]

There seems to be a bit of hypocrisy going on here. We can test FGs but they can't test us.

[omae mona]

There seems to be a bit of hypocrisy going on here. We can test FGs but they can't test us.

I may be mistaken, but if I understand the proposed changes in both places, there's an important difference. It sounds like the British are going to be making it more difficult: people previously qualified for visas may no longer be qualified.

On the other hand, I believe Japan is relaxing visa requirements for those who have good enough language skills to make up for it. Anybody in Japan who was qualified in the past will continue to be qualified. But, for example, you may be able to get a work visa with little or no work experience (which is normally a requirement), if your language skills are good enough.

At least that's my understanding. If isomebody points out I misunderstood something, I'll happily stand corrected!

[Mulboyne]

Both countries are still formulating their proposals but, as omae mona says, Britain looks like it wants to be more restrictive while Japan looks like it might want to find a way to formally let in immigrants like those who previously came in on discredited trainee programmes.

[Greji]

There seems to be a bit of hypocrisy going on here. We can test FGs but they can't test us.

Kinda the way I see it as well.....

[ttjereth]

Both countries are still formulating their proposals but, as omae mona says, Britain looks like it wants to be more restrictive while Japan looks like it might want to find a way to formally let in immigrants like those who previously came in on discredited trainee programmes.

The original article doesn't make it sound like, though.

Exceptions would be necessary in the case of highly qualified immigrants such as doctors and lawyers in order that the language requirement does not become a barrier to entry. As well as helping with the various "social problems" that non-Japanese speaking residents cause, the measure is also being considered as a means to increase Japanese language learning which has been sluggish when compared with the global interest in languages like English and Chinese.

That makes it sound like you would need to speak Japanese to get a visa with exceptions being made for desirable candidates.

[Mulboyne]

The original article doesn't make it sound like, though...That makes it sound like you would need to speak Japanese to get a visa with exceptions being made for desirable candidates.

It still has room to go either way and, since the MoJ hasn't got a great track record in such matter, it certainly pays to maintain a healthy scepticism until the plan is crystallized. Britain is approaching the problem from the perspective of tightening a loose immigration policy - although the falling pound and weakening economy will probably help reduce immigrant incentives anyway - while Japan is trying to formalize a whole series of visa issues and has yet to decide whether the net effect should be to keep tabs on increasing numbers of immigrants or to repel all boarders.

Tightening border entry controls, cutting back on those entertainer visas which relied on the authentication of an overseas government, unifying student visas, lengthening the term limits of work and spouse visas, easing permanent residence requirements, clarifying the status of trainee worker programmes, prosecuting marriage brokers and moving foreign registration from the local to the national level are all measures you would consider taking if your aim was simply to reduce illegal immigration. However, they are also measures you might put in place if you aimed to increase the total number of immigrants and wanted to ensure that you had the necessary administrative apparatus in place.

None of these revisions have their origin in a grand plan, some are pragmatic responses to immediate issues. However, one reason they have all gone through with little dissenting debate is that they serve both lobbies. The pro-immigration camp can argue that the measures ensure that increased immigration should not be feared while the isolationist camp can feel satisfied there's a framework in place to put the brakes on. The latter group is more vocal so there are good reasons to doubt the likelihood of the doors being opened wider anytime soon, if at all, but there are lawmakers and businesses who believe in the need for immigrants to support Japan's farms, factories, hospitals and universities and want to create a regulatory environment to help them win the argument.

[ttjereth]

It still has room to go either way and, since the MoJ hasn't got a great track record in such matter, it certainly pays to maintain a healthy scepticism until the plan is crystallized. Britain is approaching the problem from the perspective of tightening a loose immigration policy - although the falling pound and weakening economy will probably help reduce immigrant incentives anyway - while Japan is trying to formalize a whole series of visa issues and has yet to decide whether the net effect should be to keep tabs on increasing numbers of immigrants or to repel all boarders.

Tightening border entry controls, cutting back on those entertainer visas which relied on the authentication of an overseas government, unifying student visas, lengthening the term limits of work and spouse visas, easing permanent residence requirements, clarifying the status of trainee worker programmes, prosecuting marriage brokers and moving foreign registration from the local to the national level are all measures you would consider taking if your aim was simply to reduce illegal immigration. However, they are also measures you might put in place if you aimed to increase the total number of immigrants and wanted to ensure that you had the necessary administrative apparatus in place.

None of these revisions have their origin in a grand plan, some are pragmatic responses to immediate issues. However, one reason they have all gone through with little dissenting debate is that they serve both lobbies. The pro-immigration camp can argue that the measures ensure that increased immigration should not be feared while the isolationist camp can feel satisfied there's a framework in place to put the brakes on. The latter group is more vocal so there are good reasons to doubt the likelihood of the doors being opened wider anytime soon, if at all, but there are lawmakers and businesses who believe in the need for immigrants to support Japan's farms, factories, hospitals and universities and want to create a regulatory environment to help them win the argument.

I've never really had much faith in the government (anywhere really, not just Japan, but particularly Japan when it comes to immigration issues) to do what should be or needs to be done.

Everyone always likes to point out the "uniqueness" of Japanese racism and the situation of foreigners here and everything, but it honestly always reminds me of the way things happened when the Irish first started emmigrating to the U.S. in huge numbers, or the Italians after them.

I imagine things will eventually hit a point (whether in my lifetime or not) where we get even more parallels in Japan with the whole "they're stealing our jobs/taking our women" things being aimed at immigrants (the women thing already exists to some extent). At the moment, the majority of foreigners working in Japan aren't necessarily taking jobs that would otherwise be worked by a Japanese, but if/when there are looser immigration standards and people can work those standard jobs without the need to marry a Japanese citizen or naturalize, I can't imagine it will make the already quite vocal anti-immigration majority any happier.

Switching tracks slightly, but with the new gaijin card scheme, if the whole thing is moved to the national level, how is registration going to be carried out?

Will it still be possible/necessary to do it at the local ward offices, or will we all end up having to go to immigration to do it now?

[Taro Toporific]