Things that the Japanese government does for foreigners

[Dutch Baka]

As some of you already know, I am not enjoying reading a lot of negative threads regarding racism against foreigners from the Japanese citizen, and/or government. I don't say that there isn't any racism, but I do think that a lot of threads are a bit too negative. imo.

So my question with this thread is; What effort does the Japanese government do for us, foreigners in Japan?

Here is something that I have found today, and a couple of days before, that I find positive for foreigners in Japan:
Japan to Extend Visa Limit to Five Years From Three
Feb. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Japan plans to extend long-term visa permits to five years from the current three when it changes the registration system for foreigners living in Japan, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The Justice Ministry also plans to simplify the re-entry process for returning foreign residents, NHK reported on its English-language Web site, without saying where it obtained the information.
Source (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=a8kewymPpSIg)

Japanese fluency could ease visa conditions
Conditions for resident visa status of skilled foreign workers such as engineers may be relaxed if they attain a certain level of proficiency in Japanese, government sources said Monday.
The measures, including shortening the required number of years of work experience required, are being considered both to increase the variety of foreign workers being accepted in Japan and to encourage more foreigners to study Japanese, the sources said...
...The Foreign Ministry and Justice Ministry are considering shortening the number of years of work experience required to about five from 10, according to the sources...
...There is concern that relaxing conditions could lead to a decrease in the quality of workers, but if they have proficiency in Japanese they would be able to learn the relevant skills in Japan, the sources said...
Read the whole article (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080129a2.html)

Of course Japan needs to do these kind of things, but it's a positive thing for us, foreigners.

So do you have something, news or stories, things in what you think the Japanese government, or Japanese are making effort for foreigners in Japan?

[Astroboy]

Yes, I was also fed up with Japan bashing threads. It cannot be helped because Most of foreigners nature, i.e. Westerners, Chinese and Koreans, are "Bashing/Beating each other" "Assertive" and "Claiming".
It is no doubt that Japan welcome foreigners and Japan should offer foreigners comfortable life but instead foreigners should follow the Japanese law and local rules.
Japan is not USA, UK, Australia, S Korea, China, etc.

[Chidoriashi]

JR pass! Of course that is only for tourists though... and I know its not from the government.

[Pachipro]

What would a Japan Forum be without Japan Bashing threads? It's an outlet for frustrated people and gives others another viewpoint into Japanese culture.

Although some may differ with me, I feel the Japanese government has done quite well for foreigners. An example is all train stations signs being mostly in four languages, (Japanese, Korean, Chinese, English) as well as the voice on the trains in the major cities giving the station namese in Japanese and English. That is not even done here in the US!

Also, I have never had any real major problems dealing with Japanese officials if I follow their guidelines and rules, which may seem inane and arcane to many of us gaijin.

Also, since they are a partner with the US in the New World Order, I believe it will only get better for many foreigners in Japan if they follow the guidelines set up by the government. And we all know how the Japanese stick to rules and regulations!

I believe that things will only get better, but I have been wrong before!

[Dutch Baka]

It sure would be a good thing:

Ballot for permanent residents
A move is gaining momentum among Diet members to give permanent foreign residents the right to vote in local elections. Korean residents have especially been vocal in calling for such rights. Both the ruling and opposition parties should hold thorough discussions aimed at enabling permanent residents to vote for local government heads and assembly members.
Read the whole article (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20080223a1.html)

[Kyoto Returnee]

Of course Japan needs to do these kind of things, but it's a positive thing for us, foreigners.

So do you have something, news or stories, things in what you think the Japanese government, or Japanese are making effort for foreigners in Japan?

That's fantastic news DB, honestly..

That three year visa thing is a pain in the butt considering you virtually have to go through the whole process again to re-new..

The five year visa also applies to my wife within Australia who is an Australian permanant resident.

My parents are British citizens, and they do not have to re-new which was an older law, consdering all the British immigrants who came here..

Now, good things that Japan does for us..

Honestly, I can't think of anything specific which targets good things for non Japanese, but I can certainly think of many good points and things in Japan.. Not sure if that counts?

Maybe a new thread without mentioning foreigner or Japanese?

Just a thought.....

[akaitsume1]

How about the fact that despite having a foreign population of only 2% or so, thousands of signs and announcements in Japan are carried out in English as well as in Japanese? In the more rural areas, you won't hear it as often, but even when I was "out in the sticks," I saw city names written in roman letters as well as in kana and kanji.

[Saradus]

I'm a firm believer that if a foreigner wants to settle into a country, they should follow said country's customs, culture and beliefs. I feel this applies to people coming here to live in the UK and equally, I believe that if I ever move to live in another country (such as Japan) that I would need to learn about they're culture, learn the language and respect their beliefs.

As such, I don't think Japan needs to go out of its way for foreigners, particularly as foreigners form a much smaller proportion of the country that other countries around the world. I do however feel that if foreigners are learning the language and learning the culture, they should be given some rights like other citizens.

And from what you have posted it seems they are now doing that! I like the idea of JLPT being used to help in acquiring citizenship and its good to know that theyre looking at permanent foreign residents' right to vote. I believe that these are the right steps at "doing things for foreigners". We should indeed have the same rights as native residents, but we should also have to work for these rights and put the effort in to learn the language and culture.

[lullemans72]

How about the fact that despite having a foreign population of only 2% or so, thousands of signs and announcements in Japan are carried out in English as well as in Japanese? In the more rural areas, you won't hear it as often, but even when I was "out in the sticks," I saw city names written in roman letters as well as in kana and kanji.

i think the multilingual signs are directed more towards foreign tourists than foreign residents if u ask me

[RolandtheHeadless]

Why would any country allow non-citizens to vote?

Only citizens are allowed to vote here in the US; and that is how it should be.

[lullemans72]

Why would any country allow non-citizens to vote?

Only citizens are allowed to vote here in the US; and that is how it should be.

but how easy is it to become a US citizen?