Due to entry restrictions on international students imposed following the coronavirus outbreak, Bangladeshi students who wanted to study in Japan have been unable to do so.
The Association of Language Institutes in Bangladesh (ALIB) has requested intervention by the governments of both Bangladesh and Japan in this situation.
The students made the appeal at a press conference held by the organization on Monday at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
ALIB urged the Japanese government to relax the restrictions on international students, notably Bangladeshi students, entering Japan. In addition, they also requested the Bangladesh government to look into the matter.
Wakil Ahmed, general secretary of ALIB, said many students in Bangladesh were unable to continue their studies as there were new restrictions on going to Japan as a consequence of the Covid crisis.
"According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, new international students were prohibited from entering the country on January 28 as part of the country's border control procedures to avoid emissions,” he added.
He further said that all students were vaccinated and prepared to depart, subject to any requirements imposed by the Japanese government.
At the end of January, the Japanese government permitted 87 foreign students, who had obtained government scholarships, to enter Japan.
“The students were also allowed a 20-day visa application, which was rescinded even before the process began. As a result of the students’ extended stay, their families are also very worried and disappointed,” Wakil observed.
Sadhin Zaman, an agitated student, said: "I chose to study in Japan because I earned a scholarship due to not having the financial means to study in the private universities of Bangladesh. But now, I think I made the wrong decision.”
Another student, Omor Faruq, claimed that such uncertainty frustrated students coming from a middle-class background.