Chamika, 30, Sri Lanka

I am waiting from April 2020 to get into my university as a self-financed student. April intake was postponed because of the corona situation. Then I was able to register for the September intake. However, because of COE delays, I couldn’t get in during the time Japan was open for students. My research is already on hold since I cannot perform the experiments needed for data acquisition. Because of this uncertainty, I now have to consider a Ph.D. topic change even after spending 8 months into my research. I left my previous job in 2019 January thinking I’ll be able to get in by April. Because I don’t know when Japan will start accepting students, I can’t apply for any other job positions either. There is a minimum contract period that I must complete before quitting all most all of the jobs. So my life is on hold since January of 2019. It is not an easy task to keep going [especially mentally] when you are already 30 and you have to depend on your parents for food and a roof over your head. At this point, I am prepared to accept any conditions imposed by the Japanese government if it means that I can start my research. Even something like quarantining in a paid embassy designated quarantine location in my home country before I come to Japan. So, total of one month quarantining is a possible action for me now at this point. That’s how desperate I am at the moment, and I know it would be same for many students who dreamt of studying in Japan. Another long delay will force me to drop my research dream and focus on a different path for the sake of my mental health alone.

Giulia, 26, Italy

I have been studying Japanese for seven years. I spent the last year stuck at University, keeping paying taxes even if I finished all the exams in Winter 2020 just waiting for Japan to open and let me in, since I am trying to write my MA thesis regarding women contemporary literature in Japan.

Lissette, 30, America

It is very important to learn first hand in Japan because it will let me keep pushing forward to learn. There is no better way to learn a language than in the country it comes from.

John, 30, America

Studying in Japan has always been part of my dream. I wish to pursue not only studying and becoming fluent in Japanese, but to be able to build a life in Japan. I have visited many times and made many Japanese friends. Each visit has had a profound effect on my life, and I wish to be able to communicate fluently, in order to become a contributing member of Japanese society.

Veronica, 25, Italy

I always dreamed of going to Japan as soon as I graduated in Japanese (which was last October). My goal is to improve the language, as I would like to become a translator in the future.

Abhishek, 23, India

studying Japanese in Japan is means a lot to me because for me it’s always my dream to live and study in japan and experience their culture while enjoying student life which I always dreamed of.

Iris

My life is standing still for over a year now. I have quit my jobs 2 times now. It’s difficult to find work for a short period. I’m living with my parents because I cannot rent or buy an apartment. My patients and flexibility are stretched to a breaking point. I’m willing to do everything from quarantine to vaccinations but Japan has to give us something at this point a clear date would be preferred.

Benjamin, 33, Germany

When I was in elementary school, an employee of the Japanese embassy visited our school and showed us a documentary about Japan and folded some origami with us. I was so fascinated by this country which seemed so different to Germany and my small hometown.

Sveno, 27, Swiss

Since Japan has one of the best health care systems and is a pioneer in using technology for medical purposes, we want to establish a connection to use synergies between our company and the japanese health care system. On the other hand it was a dream of mine to study Japanese language and it’s culture since I was a little boy.

Adeline, 32, Australia

This is the first step to rebuilding my life in Japan. This is the first step to be properly integrated into Japanese society and reuniting with my loved one there again. I want to be a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world.