‘Japayukis’ complain gov’t slow to help them

With only nine days to go before Japan’s new anti-trafficking law takes effect, Filipino entertainers are rushing the government to draw up plans to help them comply with Tokyo’s stricter visa requirements.

"March 15 is fast approaching yet our overseas entertainers are still in the dark on how to cope with the new immigration policy of Japan. We call on the government to immediately act on our plight to lessen the economic impact of the dislocation of our OPAs," said Alex Capellan, secretary-general of OPA Koalisyon, an alliance of seven cluster OPA organizations.

The group stressed the need for interim implementing guidelines to be established in the setting up of accredited performance training venues which, they lamented, the government has yet to work on.

Under the new policy, only entertainers who have a two-year education from an entertainment institution or two-year experience from an entertainment venue outside Japan would be allowed to work as an OPA.

Also, the Japanese government will no longer recognize the Artist Record Book/Artist’s Certification Card (ARB/ACC) as the primary document needed by applicants of entertainer’s visas.

Thousands of overseas performing artists (OPAs), joined by their families, will hold another round of mass action against Tokyo’s revised anti-trafficking legislation, which they fear will drastically reduce the number of OPAs deployed annually from 80,000 to less than 10,000.

OPA Koalisyon will spearhead the rallies to start on Thursday at the Japanese embassy in Pasay City.

Capellan said their protest actions will continue until they are "convinced that appropriate measures for the transition are in place."

Manila has repeatedly tried but failed to persuade Japan to go easy on the implementation of its revised immigration rules that aim to curb human trafficking.

Nonetheless, OPA Koalisyon continued to appeal to both the national and the Japanese governments to hold another series of high-level talks through Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and his counterpart, Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura in order to minimize the effects of the new law.

The group is fighting for previous experience in the entertainment field in Japan to be given merit because, according to them, these OPAs have already gotten approval by the Japanese immigration "based on the Philippine government imposed ARB and ACC."

These documents are valid only until March 14. The coalition is pushing for a three-month orientation program for those who have already performed in Japan, and the revival of the pre-departure showcase preview.

Meanwhile, OPAs are appealing to Tokyo immigration chief Hidenori Sakanaka, who is retiring at the end of this month, to help them in their cause. "Let your remaining years in public service be memorable to us and your consideration be the best gift."