Anti-Globalization Protestor Denied Entry To Japan
If you’re coming to Japan to protest this year’s G8 summit, you better have a return ticket and a sightseeing plan ready to show immigration officials, or you’ll end up like this guy:
The Sapporo Regional Immigration Bureau has refused to allow the entry of a 37-year-old German antiglobalization activist who arrived at the port of Otaru, in Hokkaido, with the intention of inspecting venues associated with the Group of Eight summit meeting to be held in July in Toyakocho.
The immigration bureau deemed the man did not satisfy conditions for entering the country.
The man set sail from Sakhalin, Russia, on a Russian cargo ship on March 7, and arrived at Otaru Port three days later. The bureau’s Otaru Port Branch Office said it was possible the man had used false reasons to gain entry, in light of his undecided schedule and lack of a return ticket. The man protested over the office’s decision and stayed on the cargo ship, which was scheduled to leave Otaru Port on Friday evening for Sakhalin.
