Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

japantimes.co.jp

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 157 posts

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#61

Post by raw_anon_1111 »

kakacik wrote: post #49
nslsm wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It looks like they are proud of their country and want to keep it as is. They’ve seen what limitless immigration did to other countries and want none of it. Respect to them.

This is the correct reality. If there would be public vote in surrounding countries, ie mosques would be banned there too (btw those standing and having permit before the vote keep functioning). But none of the german, french, italian etc politicians have the balls to let society decide for themselves, controversial topic or not. And people then wonder why in extremely left-leaning country like France there is high p…

[flagged]

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#62

Post by dublinstats »

socalgal2 wrote: post #26
Tade0 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's also the issue of people going to Japan to buy out several properties to then rent them out.

Is that a thing? I remember a few years ago when they added a bunch of regulations to rentals that raised the costs.

I'm guessing they get a business visa based on claiming revenue from the rentals, then use that to sponsor more people as employees.

As for regulation costs, airbnbs are notorious for not adhering to regulations. Depends on how well Japan is able to police it.

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#63

Post by nslsm »

GuB-42 wrote: post #51
nslsm wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It looks like they are proud of their country and want to keep it as is. They’ve seen what limitless immigration did to other countries and want none of it. Respect to them.

Switzerland has a fertility rate of about 1.4 and decreasing, unless they do something, there won't be much of a country left in a few generations. Solutions can involve immigration or natalism, but something has to change. Japan is worse.

The solution to a low fertility rate is to… destroy the country? What’s the difference?

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#64

Post by mothballed »

raw_anon_1111 wrote: post #61
kakacik wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the correct reality. If there would be public vote in surrounding countries, ie mosques would be banned there too (btw those standing and having permit before the vote keep functioning). But none of the german, french, italian etc politicians have the balls to let society decide for themselves, controversial topic or not. And people then wonder why in extremely left-leaning country like France there is high p…

[flagged]

I'm not saying you should ban mosques but when they do the whole call to prayer thing at 2am, I understand. Guessing you've never had to sleep any extended period of time near a mosque. If church bells rudely woke me up at 2am I'd understand the church banners too.

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#65

Post by raw_anon_1111 »

cute_boi wrote: post #25

I think every country should do this. What I am seeing these days is that people who deserve visas are struggling with visa issues, while untalented people are getting visas easily

I agree too. And before the pearl clutching starts, I’m very much practicing what I preach as an American seriously considering retiring to a Spanish speaking country and who just came back from the target country after spending six weeks there - and planning on returning once or twice a year.

I’m learning Spanish and find it disheartening that many of the ex-pats [1] I hung out with don’t even attempt to learn Spanish. I’m currently somewhere around an A2/low B1.

[1] yes I also am against people calling themselves “ex-pats” instead of “immigrants”

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#66

Post by esseph »

mothballed wrote: post #60
nvch wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not exactly. I got (and renewed) the Swiss permit with zero knowledge of any official language. However, my wife had to present the basic certificate or my promise that she would learn the language.

Japan, ~like the US~, has no official language. (edit: ~strike~)

> Japan, like the US, has no official language.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/desi...

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#67

Post by Thorrez »

slaw wrote: post #58
GuB-42 wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Switzerland has a fertility rate of about 1.4 and decreasing, unless they do something, there won't be much of a country left in a few generations. Solutions can involve immigration or natalism, but something has to change. Japan is worse.

Africa has fertility rate 4.02 in 2025. Do you want Switzerland look like Africa?

There are numbers in between 1.4 and 4.02. There's no reason Switzerland would need to swing to the complete opposite end.

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#68

Post by raw_anon_1111 »

pjc50 wrote: post #13
bena wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok, but neither of those are about work visas. If I'm applying for a work visa, it's because I expect to be in that country to work, not as a permanent resident.

I think we need to acknowledge that all but the most transitory fruit pickers may want to settle permanently after working in a country for many years, and should not unreasonably be prevented from doing so.

There is nothing unreasonable about if you want to live in a country you should learn the language. I said in another comment that I’m learning Spanish now because I plan to move to a Spanish speaking country for retirement.

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#69

Post by mothballed »

nslsm wrote: post #63
GuB-42 wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Switzerland has a fertility rate of about 1.4 and decreasing, unless they do something, there won't be much of a country left in a few generations. Solutions can involve immigration or natalism, but something has to change. Japan is worse.

The solution to a low fertility rate is to… destroy the country? What’s the difference?

[flagged]

Re: Japan implements language proficiency requirements for certain visa applicants

#70

Post by raw_anon_1111 »

mothballed wrote: post #64
raw_anon_1111 wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

I'm not saying you should ban mosques but when they do the whole call to prayer thing at 2am, I understand. Guessing you've never had to sleep any extended period of time near a mosque. If church bells rudely woke me up at 2am I'd understand the church banners too.

Well maybe molesting children and covering it up should be more of a reason to ban churches.

But I agree that should come under noise ordinances. I don’t care who someone chooses to worship as long as it doesn’t interfere with me.

Post reply on HN