Since the introduction of biometric checks for arriving foreign residents and visitors, I have registered to use the automatic gate at Narita Airport. For a frequent traveler, this has proved to save time and reduce the hassle of passing through immigration. Last week, though, my husband of 28 years and I arrived at Kansai International Airport (KIX) from Heathrow.
He is a special permanent resident so we joined different queues. I joined the "express lane" for re-entries with another 200 Chinese workers. Fifty minutes later, after filling out the new re-entry form stating how much money I was carrying, I was finally deemed acceptable and was reunited with my husband in the customs hall. He was visibly upset with how I was treated and made a formal complaint.
I have permanent resident (PR) status, having resided in Japan for 32 years. I own my home, pay taxes, abide by the law, donate to Japanese charities and do volunteer work in my local community. My experience at KIX proves that being a good citizen and having PR mean nothing.
The new border controls and the separation of families during processing is a cruel reminder that the rights of foreigners, particularly those with PR, are on the wane. Furthermore, I am concerned about what comes next. The insult of having to submit to biometric checks is up and running and is here to stay. However, having to declare how much money I carry and stand in a different queue from my husband and four children is outrageous.
On arrival in Australia my Korean husband accompanies me through the Australian passport queue. The inviolability of marriage and family obviously means nothing at Japanese borders. Until an automatic gate is installed at KIX, I refuse to use it again.
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