Air Japan denies boarding to a family of three who have re-entry permits and visas， and refuses to refund 300，000 yen to a family of three recognized as refugees．
Air Japan denies boarding to three Myanmar family members who have re-entry permits and visas, but refuses to refund 300,000 yen to refugee-recognized family: Tokyo Shimbun October 12, 2024 12:00 It has been discovered that a Myanmar family who were recognized as refugees in Japan were denied boarding by Air Japan when they tried to travel to Thailand with a “re-entry permit” issued by the Ministry of Justice, which is effectively used as a passport. The family purchased tickets for Thai Airways for five days later. He was not denied boarding and was able to enter Thailand. The total cost of Air Japan’s airfare, approximately 300,000 yen, will not be refunded. (Kitagawa Shigefumi) ◆ Permanent resident status in Japan after fleeing oppression This family is a husband in his 50s, his wife in her 40s, and their teenage son, all living in Tokyo. The husband and wife, who were involved in the democratization movement in their home country, fled to Japan to escape oppression by the military government and were recognized as refugees more than 15 years ago. All of them, including their eldest son, who was born in Japan, have permanent resident status. According to interviews with family members and related documents, tickets for the three of them on Air Japan’s Narita-Bangkok flight, with the outbound flight departing on August 11 and the return flight on August 17, were purchased in July for a total of approximately 300,000 yen. It was our family’s first trip abroad. The three do not have passports from their home countries but have re-entry permits valid until 2029. I purchased my ticket on the company’s website by entering the number on my re-entry permit. He also received a Thai tourist visa, valid for three months from August 1. I inquired at the Thai Embassy in Japan and was told that even if I didn’t have a passport, I could enter the country as long as I had a re-entry permit (valid for at least six months) and a tourist visa. His wife had previously travelled to Thailand with a re-entry permit. However, on August 11, at the Air Japan counter at Narita Airport, he was told that “Thai immigration authorities have not approved his entry” and was denied boarding. The explanation given by the Thai Embassy was not accepted. ◆ Thai Airways was able to board the flight normally, but… The family was not satisfied, so the wife and eldest son, excluding the husband who was working, purchased tickets for Thai Airways to depart on the 16th and return on the 24th. I was able to enter Thailand. In light of this, the family spoke to Air Japan on the phone several times, complaining that the refusal to board was wrong, but they were told the initial explanation was repeated and that no refunds would be given. On the 2nd of this month, our special news team checked with the Thai Embassy regarding the handling of re-entry permits. As explained to families, if they have a visa they can enter the country, and “the operation has not changed for a long time,” the official said. Meanwhile, an Air Japan spokesperson explained, “At Narita Airport, our staff inquired with Thai immigration whether the family’s documents would allow them to enter the country, and were told that they could not, so we refused them boarding.” They claim that the procedure was legitimate and that “refunds are not possible according to the terms and conditions.” However, even though they were actually able to enter the country, it is possible that they made a mistaken decision based on inaccurate information. I also asked him whether, if his company’s response was justified, it would raise the issue of how the explanation was given to the embassy and related agencies, but he was reluctant, saying, “We’re not thinking about it.” One family member commented on the company’s response, “They just ignored our complaints. There is no satisfactory explanation. They’re not being considerate to their customers,” he said angrily. “Recognized refugees and permanent residents are on an equal footing with Japanese people, yet inequities are ignored. “I feel they have a low level of awareness of human rights.” ◆Why did this happen? “An explanation and an apology” Attorney Shogo Watanabe, representative of the National Liaison Council of Refugee Lawyers, said, “In the past, many Myanmar people have entered Thailand with re-entry permits,” and questioned the company’s refusal to board the flight. (Omitted) *See source for full text.
>>1 [Regarding voting rights for foreigners] LDP—-against Constitutional Democratic Party—-for Communist Party—-for Reiwa—-for Yes, the opposition parties are out of the question.
>>10 This is no laughing matter. You came to Japan as a refugee and now you can travel abroad with your family, right? Isn’t that wonderful? These ice age people here live miserable lives, without even a family, let alone the ability to travel abroad.
If Thailand, the country of origin, says not to let them enter the country, then there is no choice but to comply with that. If we ignore it, it will become an international issue, Thailand!
“Recognized refugees and permanent residents are on an equal footing with Japanese people, yet inequities are ignored. “I feel there is a lack of awareness of human rights.” Are you kidding me?
In other words, the re-entry permit issued by the Japanese Ministry of Justice allows you to re-enter Japan, but Thailand is a different country, so you can’t?
Maybe one of them was wrong. One possibility is that the contents of the documents the family had were not communicated accurately. I don’t know what language you asked in.
Hey. Why should Japan have to take responsibility for the citizens of other countries that have nothing to do with it? The only people the Japanese government should be responsible for are the Japanese people. What’s your objection? Are you saying that you should take responsibility for the lives of the world with the hard-earned tax money of the Japanese people? Ignore that, you idiot.
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