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I don't know about police, but the most unpleasant experience I've ever had at any immigration was in Japan. They were NOT polite. Even if they found nothing w

I don't know about police, but the most unpleasant experience I've ever had at any immigration was in Japan. They were NOT polite. Even if they found nothing wrong. US immigration is a day at the spa in comparison. Even when the consulate messed up my fingerprints. Cleared up in under two hours, they were cold but polite the entire time - not angry and disrespectful. After I was finally allowed in Japan, 4 hours after I had arrived - thanks to my uncle, a Japanese citizen - everything went fine. Nice people, spent three months there. I'd like to visit again, but I'm dreading the immigration experience.

iso1631 5y ago
I've only been to Japan once, but immigration for me (a white male Brit) was no different to Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore etc, just a smile and a stamp. Israel is the only real place I've had more than a "purpose of visit" (although getting in is still far easier than getting out). I went to the states last week to see some colleagues for the first time since 2019 - had to really bit me tongue not to say "Christmas Parties" instead of "Business Meetings", got prodded for a little more info from JFK immigration (a "Law Enforcement professional" from the "Washington DC area" also checked my profile on linked in after I applied for my ESTA)
fomine3 5y ago
Recent news shows that Japan's immigration is quite bad for illegal stay non-white foreigners. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220118/p2a/00m/0na/009000c https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220118/p2a/00m/0na/00...
franciscop 5y ago
Def sounds like a bad apple/case, I've come into Japan probably around 10-15 times now and it's always been a pleasure, while in the US it's always been more scary with all the questioning and shouting (4-5 times).
sandman008 5y ago
Yes, BBC also covered it (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/Bi5xGc7SIj/the_fall_of_the_god_of_cars https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/Bi5xGc7SIj/the_fall_of_the_...) It's called "hostage justice" by critics

iso1631 5y ago

I've only been to Japan once, but immigration for me (a white male Brit) was no different to Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore etc, just a smile and a stamp. Israel is the only real place I've had more than a "purpose of visit" (although getting in is still far easier than getting out). I went to the states last week to see some colleagues for the first time since 2019 - had to really bit me tongue not to say "Christmas Parties" instead of "Business Meetings", got prodded for a little more info from JFK immigration (a "Law Enforcement professional" from the "Washington DC area" also checked my profile on linked in after I applied for my ESTA)

fomine3 5y ago

Recent news shows that Japan's immigration is quite bad for illegal stay non-white foreigners. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220118/p2a/00m/0na/009000c https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220118/p2a/00m/0na/00...

franciscop 5y ago

Def sounds like a bad apple/case, I've come into Japan probably around 10-15 times now and it's always been a pleasure, while in the US it's always been more scary with all the questioning and shouting (4-5 times).

sandman008 5y ago

Yes, BBC also covered it (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/Bi5xGc7SIj/the_fall_of_the_god_of_cars https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/Bi5xGc7SIj/the_fall_of_the_...) It's called "hostage justice" by critics