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They could probably attract millions of Westerners tomorrow if they really wanted. Whether or not that's a good idea / they'd like the influx is another questio

They could probably attract millions of Westerners tomorrow if they really wanted. Whether or not that's a good idea / they'd like the influx is another question. But, they could do it without changing anything except their insanely difficult immigration schemes.

astrange 4y ago
Abe did that. It's very easy to immigrate to Japan. The reason this succeeded is that nobody in the country noticed, which is why you don't know about it. It's not that attractive to Westerners if only because wages are low so you can't pay off those student loans. (Immigrate as in get into the country on a work visa, not as in get permanent residency - that's doable on a "highly skilled professional" visa though.)
- BlargMcLarg 4y ago
  What are you comparing with? Wages are not that low relative to the remainder of the developed world and student loans aren't that high outside the US. The US is the main outlier here, not the other way around.
  - astrange 4y ago
    Wages of English teaching are lower than jobs you can get in the US. Or for that matter tech companies, though it's fine if you work for an international company.
    - BlargMcLarg 4y ago
      English teaching is a pretty obvious low-barrier outlier. Otherwise, you're confirming the US as your main point of comparison, without realizing the US is the primary outlier here. Compare the US to any other developed country and it becomes fairly evident why.
- bigDinosaur 4y ago
  It is? Last time I checked a few years ago it was still rather onerous and was only easy for very highly skilled individuals, not just normal professionals.
  - jeeeb 4y ago
    You’re probably looking at the requirements for early access to permanent residency. Work visa’s for skilled work categories in Japan aren’t particularly hard to come by. You just need a qualification or a few years relevant work experience.
- rvba 4y ago
  Didnt they close the country for foreigners for 2 years due to COVID? I dont think tourists or people on business trips could come in.
  - astrange 4y ago
    You can still get in if you get a work visa, and it's not that difficult to get one if someone wants to employ you. (If you have a four year college degree.)

astrange 4y ago

Abe did that. It's very easy to immigrate to Japan. The reason this succeeded is that nobody in the country noticed, which is why you don't know about it. It's not that attractive to Westerners if only because wages are low so you can't pay off those student loans. (Immigrate as in get into the country on a work visa, not as in get permanent residency - that's doable on a "highly skilled professional" visa though.)

BlargMcLarg 4y ago
What are you comparing with? Wages are not that low relative to the remainder of the developed world and student loans aren't that high outside the US. The US is the main outlier here, not the other way around.
- astrange 4y ago
  Wages of English teaching are lower than jobs you can get in the US. Or for that matter tech companies, though it's fine if you work for an international company.
  - BlargMcLarg 4y ago
    English teaching is a pretty obvious low-barrier outlier. Otherwise, you're confirming the US as your main point of comparison, without realizing the US is the primary outlier here. Compare the US to any other developed country and it becomes fairly evident why.
bigDinosaur 4y ago
It is? Last time I checked a few years ago it was still rather onerous and was only easy for very highly skilled individuals, not just normal professionals.
- jeeeb 4y ago
  You’re probably looking at the requirements for early access to permanent residency. Work visa’s for skilled work categories in Japan aren’t particularly hard to come by. You just need a qualification or a few years relevant work experience.
rvba 4y ago
Didnt they close the country for foreigners for 2 years due to COVID? I dont think tourists or people on business trips could come in.
- astrange 4y ago
  You can still get in if you get a work visa, and it's not that difficult to get one if someone wants to employ you. (If you have a four year college degree.)