Like many countries, Japan closed its borders in early 2020 to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike other immigration policies around the world, the #JapanTravelBan bars permanent residents (including those with Japanese spouses and children) from entering or re-entering Japan.

Six months on, the rest of the G7 member nations have made progress in re-opening their borders, but Japan’s remain impassable to most foreigners. Those still locked out include university and language school students, work permit holders and business travelers, as well as people who have legally resided in Japan for years or even decades.