Japan still off-limits to Pinoys

MANILA – The entry of Filipinos to Japan remains prohibited by the Japanese government, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tokyo said on Friday.

Labor Attache Marie Rose Escalada said travel restrictions are still in effect against over 150 nations, which include the Philippines.

“For inbound (passengers), the Japanese government is implementing border restrictions. Unfortunately, there are 154 countries as of July 2021. Unfortunately, the Philippines is included,” she said in a virtual forum.

However, she said there are no restrictions in place for outbound passengers.

Escalada said those going back to the Philippines are reminded to follow the strict protocols set by the government or the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“We ask the workers to follow the protocol set by the IATF in the Philippines,” she added.

Meanwhile, Escalada reported that there are around 24,550 Filipino workers in Tokyo as of June.

The majority of the workers or 49.6 percent are trainees under Technical Intern Training Program (TITP); professionals, 30.3 percent; workers under designated activities visa, 16.2 percent, while the rest are skilled workers, overseas performing artists, and healthcare workers.

“Under professionals, these are our engineers, professors, information technology workers, and interpreters. For the designated activities visa, it has a wide category, it includes household service workers (HSWs), shipbuilders, construction workers, HSWs for diplomats etc.,” she said.