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M / CLOUDED
I returned to the UK on February 16, 2020. My course at the University of Tokyo ended for the winter and I am looking ahead to put the economy and my teachers aside for a few months, and see my circle of relatives and friends at home . . The coronavirus remains an anomaly on a cruise ship sent to Yokohama.
Life in London was very normal: pubs served pints, travellers complained and Boris was busy with Brexit. Returning from Heathrow Airport on the Piccadilly line, I looked greedily at the exposed abdomen of the guy sitting in front of me. I didn’t judge his lack of mask.
Fast forward to the end of March and was coming back from Scotland with 3 frifinish. At five in the afternoon, the prime minister issued a war program in reaction to the escalating coronavirus situation. It was a turning point in the British joy of the pandemic. It was also when I knew that my return to Japan was perhaps not so simple.
With Japan’s borders yet to close, amid the chaos of the UK’s pandemic response, I decided not to take my flight home at the end of March. I also had another illness, glandular fever, and the idea that it would be more productive to stay at home with the various comforts of my parents’ house.
Not being able to return to Japan, I encountered various headaches related to my studies. The university already had courses to be conducted online through Zoom for the next term. However, the factor of my scholarship, my course schedules and a host of other administrative clutter still deserve attention.
In the maximum of those cases, there is no solution. I was unable to point to the scholarship bills, which meant they were not paid. Class schedules are set in stone, regardless of the time zone. The eight-hour time difference also made contacting foreign students’ workplaces a slow process. And as someone who is still learning the language, navigating the kanji in college newsletters has become her own way of studying.
I’m lucky myself, though. I am at my time of examination for my master’s degree and most of my paintings revolve around my thesis, which is relatively flexible over time. By comparison, the freshmans of my course are outperformed with basic courses that feature a lot of course paintings and engaging content. Any inability to complete the course or desire to take some time off would delay the start for a year.
April, May, June and July spread in persistent uncertainty. It’s a special feeling to have your life 9, 500 kilometers from you. I had an internship I tried to stay in touch with and a part-time tutoring assignment for two hours at 2 a. m. every Friday, while my business was doing nothing still sitting in a room. through Bunkyo Ward.
Throughout my life, I kept an eye on the online page of the Japanese Embassy, and despite everything, I was able to return to Japan when the borders were reopened to foreign nationals with a re-entry permit on August 5. simple: a layover at the embassy, a coronavirus check, and a near-empty flight later, I stood in a COVID-19 checkpoint at Haneda airport, who was asked to believe sucking on a lemon so that I spit into a control tube.
I am satisfied to be back in Japan. I was able to resume my internship, my paintings and my life without the uncertainty that has ruled these last months. I enjoy my life here and, in the past, I have tolerated the inconvenience imposed on foreign nationals as they don’t cause much trouble.
However, the government will have to recognize that there is a developing “gaijin” minority living in Japan. For the well-being of these people, you will need to announce an equivalent remedy of foreign citizens and take responsibility for the ups and downs that this unpleasant Japan’s merit would actually be a position of the utmost importance in the world economy and more powerful.
Good luck to any other resident trapped abroad and smart when the time comes.
Angus Watson is a master’s student at the University of Tokyo. Listen to your story as an audio on the Japan Times Deep Dive podcast at 7 p. m. August 25.
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