#Japan visa for medical treatment

[japanevisafaqs]

Japan eVisa for study and research purposes

Japan eVisa for Study and Research Purposes: Everything You Need to Know

Japan is a popular destination for students and researchers from around the world, thanks to its world-class universities, research institutions, and unique cultural experiences. If you're planning to study or conduct research in Japan, you may need a visa to enter the country. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes.

What is the Japan eVisa?

The Japan eVisa is an electronic travel authorization that allows foreign nationals to enter Japan for short-term stays. It is an alternative to the traditional paper visa, and it can be obtained entirely online. The eVisa is issued by the Japanese government's immigration authorities and is linked electronically to the passport of the applicant.

Who is eligible for the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes?

Foreign nationals who wish to study or conduct research in Japan can apply for the eVisa if they meet the following criteria:

They hold a passport from a country that is eligible for the Japan eVisa program. A list of eligible countries can be found on the website of the Japanese government's immigration authorities.

They intend to study or conduct research in Japan for a period of 90 days or less.

They have been accepted by a Japanese educational or research institution.

They have sufficient financial resources to cover their stay in Japan.

They have no criminal record and do not pose a threat to public order or national security.

How to apply for the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes?

The application process for the Japan eVisa is entirely online and can be completed in a few easy steps:

Visit the website of the Japanese government's immigration authorities and select the "Study" or "Research" option.

Create an account and fill out the application form with your personal and passport details.

Provide information about your planned studies or research in Japan, including the name of the institution, the duration of your stay, and the purpose of your visit.

Upload supporting documents, such as your letter of acceptance from the Japanese institution, proof of financial resources, and a passport photo.

Pay the eVisa fee using a valid credit or debit card.

Submit your application and wait for a decision from the immigration authorities.

How long does it take to process the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes?

The processing time for the Japan eVisa is typically 3 to 5 business days. However, it can take longer if additional documents or information are required. It is recommended to apply for the eVisa at least 2 weeks before your planned departure date to allow for sufficient processing time.

What are the benefits of the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes?

The Japan eVisa offers several benefits for foreign students and researchers, including:

Convenience: The eVisa application can be completed entirely online, saving time and effort compared to the traditional paper visa application process.

Speed: The eVisa is typically processed faster than the traditional paper visa, allowing students and researchers to enter Japan more quickly.

Flexibility: The eVisa allows for multiple entries into Japan during the validity period, making it easier for students and researchers to travel in and out of the country.

Security: The eVisa is linked electronically to the applicant's passport, reducing the risk of fraud or identity theft.

Conclusion

The Japan eVisa for study and research purposes is a convenient and efficient way for foreign students and researchers to enter Japan for short-term stays. By following the application process and meeting the eligibility criteria, you can obtain your eVisa and begin your studies or research in Japan with ease.

[adhyatmikvikasmission]

All About Reiki: How The Type Of Energy Healing Works & Its Health Benefits.

What is Reiki? Reiki is a spiritual practice method developed by Mikao Usui in 1922. It is a Japanese method of stress and healing, which is very similar to yoga. According to the belief, India is the real origin of Reiki. Thousands of years ago there was knowledge of touch therapy in India. Evidence of this has been found in Atharvaveda. This knowledge continued to exist in oral form through the Guru-Shishya tradition. Due to the lack of this knowledge in writing, it gradually disappeared. Two and a half thousand years ago, Buddha taught this knowledge to his disciples so that while roaming in the forests of the time of country, they do not lack medical facilities and they can do their treatment. There is some description of it in Lord Buddha's book called 'Lotus Sutra'. From here it reached Japan via Tibet and China with monks. The work of rediscovering it in Japan was done by the Japanese saint Dr. Mikao Usui in his lifetime from 1869–1926. According to its ideology, energy flows only from living beings. Reiki experts believe that the invisible energy is called life energy or ki and is the life force of life. Experts say that "ki" is all around us and can be absorbed by the brain.

How many seventies are there in Reiki? There are usually three or five seventies of Reiki training. Each engagement has a force of reason, depending on the education and practice you practice.

Why is Reiki important? Reiki has been linked to a number of physical and emotional health benefits, including improved sleep, improved mood, and pain relief in published studies, with research showing that Reiki helps to return to a state of relaxation that helps it recover from stress, injury, or illness. Allows you to potentially better recover from damage caused.

Where can Reiki help you? Or you can say which things can be healed, where can you take the help of Reiki in your life, and which diseases and problems are cured with the help of Reiki, let me tell you that Reiki works everywhere in everything. helps you (everywhere everything) but still, many people are confused and ask if will it be cured with reiki or if can it be useful in this thing can I do healing this thing, will tell you where to do reiki And in what things will Reiki help you?

Reiki Benefits:- 1. Mental problems, physical problems, financial problems, emotional problems, relationships, and spiritual life. 2. Pets, Plants Animals, Non-Living Things, 3. Married Life Problems, Maternity Problems, Tension, Stress, 4. Problems with studies, concentration, memory focus, not getting good marks in studies, lack of focus in studies, 5. Problems in Business, Partnership Problems in Sales and Profits Business, Valiant Issues, 6. Goals and Desires that are not being fulfilled, or any wishes that have not been fulfilled, 7. Psychic Problems, Evil Eyes, Negative Energy, Upper Air, Witchcraft, Ghosts, Pirate Doshas, ​​Increase Karmic, 8. Problems in property, whether to buy or sell a house is not happening, 9. Abroad Statement Issues, Visa Not Lagna, Documents Problems, Funds Problems. 10. Disputes. You can also cure all these problems through Reiki. Reiki is useful everywhere, you can take the help of Reiki in everything, Reiki will help you everywhere, whether it is your problems or problems of family friends, problems of home or problems of Vastu, your star in astrology is not in your favor. That too Reiki helps you and with the help of Reiki, you can fix and improve anyone's problems through Reiki. There are many basic problems learning Reiki, which you can fix by learning Reiki in 1,2,3, levels.

Reiki Crystal Products In Reiki, we take the help of many crystals, there are some healing crystals, with the help of which our healing is more powerful and good results come, and results come quickly, with the help of crystals we clean our auras. Can clean aura with the help of a crystal pencil, and can balance, apart from this, we use crystal in healing, crystal garland is worn while healing because it is good for our aura, we get positive inspiration in healing And crystals should be worn, should be used, when doing the healing, then the patient is applied to the eyes, there are dumbbells, and the patient can hold them in his hands. It is even better, it gives relief to the patient and gets happiness, prosperity, and peace, everything feels good.

5 Levels of Reiki Healing Many people are confused about the 5 levels of Reiki, what happens in Reiki 5 levels, there are 5 levels in Reiki in which you do your own healing, you get powerful symbols and harmony and You can do healing yourself well, you can also heal living and non-living things, you can also do emergency healing, you can also learn mastership level in Reiki and Grand Mastership, in both, you are taught Healing Attunement in which you are in a relationship. Attunement Students Study Attunement, Attract Money Attunement also learn and you can also learn, you get more powerful symbols.

You should work hard by yourself to solve your problems and you have not learned Reiki yet, then soon you should learn Reiki from work, you should learn 2 levels of Reiki so that it can be known what is this science after all because You can and will be self-dependent by learning Reiki, you do not need to depend on anyone else, you can solve your own problems, and your family's problems by yourself, not only yourself but also heal others' problems. You can do it through Reiki, the best and easiest way to become self-dependent is to learn Reiki, so register today to learn Reiki, the knowledge of Reiki is very valuable, it can change your life.

Reiki Training Life Time Service is Provided in Our Adhyatmik Vikas Mission Reiki Healing Center and Shri Vikas Duggal Ji Guruji is India's Best Reiki Healer Master, you guys join our Adhyatmik Vikas Mission and learn Reiki.

The best Reiki Healing Centre in India is Adhyatmik Vikas Mission is the best reiki healing center.

Visit Us:- https://adhyatmikvikasmission.com/

[indianevisa24]

How to Apply for Indian e-Visa: Hassle-Free Process

A visa is an essential document that every person who desires to work, get medical treatment, travel, and study in India. Indian Government allows Visas to tourists and foreign visitors who want to travel to India for various reasons, including commercial projects, tours, health treatment, etc. 

Now, people Apply for Indian visa application online easily. The e-visa is a digital form of the conventional Visa, which user can save on their smartphone. Indian e-visa permits foreign visitors into the nation, and they don’t have to face any difficulties. 

Indian Government has introduced an Indian tourist visa online that permits habitants of more than 170 nations to visit India with no need for the physical stamp on the passport. 

After 2014, overseas visitors who want to visit India don’t need to fill application for the conventional physical Indian Visa. Moreover, they don’t have to encounter any hurdles regarding the application. Now, rather than visiting to Indian Embassy and consulate, people can Apply Indian visa application online in digital form. 

Process of Applying India Visa Online

Other than simplification in applying Indian tourist visa online, the process of the e-visa application is fast, robust, and hurdle-less. So here is the procedure to apply for India Visa Online through a registered portal 

 The first action is to get the application form for an Online Visa from a reliable website such as https://indianevisa.info/

After that, submit all the relevant information in the Indian tourist visa online application form and upload the essential documents, including a passport-size photo, passport and many more

Then, you need to make payment for the Indian e-visa through online payment modes such as NEFT, IMPS, Credit card, Debit card, or UPI payment. 

Your application will be submitted to the concerned department, and soon you will receive the approval for an Indian e-visa on your registered email ID that you provided at the time of applying for the Visa 

Different Types of e-Visa

Indian e-visa has various types and relies on a person's objective to visit India. For example, if you only want to visit and explore India for a specific time, then you need to apply for an Indian visa for a tourist visa. Let us know about these types of e-visa 

Tourist e-Visa

People aim to visit India as tourists to explore, sightseeing, and visit different places; then they apply for Indian tourist visas online. Tourist e-visas are also categorized into 3 types.

A one-month or 30-day Indian tourist visa online that permits travelers to live and travel in India for 30 days from the date of arrival. Moreover, it has the feature of a double entry visa, which means you can enter India twice within one month till the visa expires. 

The one-year Indian tourist visa online has a validity of 365 days from the allotment of the online visa. This visa is known as a multiple entry visa. A multi-entry visa means a tourist can arrive in the country multiple times within the duration of the validity of the visa. 

The five-year Indian tourist visa has a validity of 5 years from the date of e-visa allotment. This visa also has similar benefits to a multi-entry visa. That means tourist with a one-year Indian tourist visa and 5-year visa has permission to live in India for consecutively 3 months or 90 days. However, the citizens of Japan, the UK, and the USA can have a consistent living with each visit, which should not surpass 6 months or 180 days. 

Business e-Visa

People traveling to India to do any trade, business, or commercial activities then they should apply for a business e-visa. The validity of the visa is one year or 365 days. Moreover, it is a Multi entry visa and permits consistent staying up to 180 days from the allotment of the business e-visa. 

Medical e-Visa

Tourists who are coming to India because of their health treatment from any medical center and healthcare services in India can apply for a medical visa. The medical e-visa is a short-duration e-visa, and it has only a two-month validity (60 days) from the date of arrival of the tourist in the country. This Medical e-visa gives a tourist the benefit of Triple entry, indicating that such visitors can arrive in India 3 times within the duration of Visa validity. 

Medical Attendant e-Visa

When you are traveling to India as a medical attendant for a patient who is seeking health treatment, then a medical attendant e-visa is appropriate. This visa has a short duration and has only 60 days of validity from the date of arrival of the person in India. A patient is allowed to take a maximum of two attendants, and they can come on a single Medical Attendant online visa.  

Transit e-Visa

The Transit e-visa is applied for the intention of visiting any place or country located outside India. The tourist who applies Transit visa for traveling has only two entry allotments applicable. The validity of this visa is for only a one-time entry into India. Moreover, if a traveler with a transit e-visa doesn’t travel within this duration of visa validity, then he or she should apply for a fresh visa. Transit visa validity is restricted to only direct transit. Moreover, this duration cannot be extended until there is a critical emergency condition, including weather circumstances, sickness, traffic problems, etc. 

What is the Eligibility to Apply India Visa Online?

Here is the eligibility to apply Indian visa application: - 

One must be a citizen of among 171 nations that are allowed to take the Indian visa 

It is essential to have a valid reason for applying for an Indian visa application. The objective for your traveling to India can be business, tourism, or medical. 

An applicant must have a verified password for a minimum of 180 days from the date of entry in India. 

Similarly, a person with a passport that only has a 6-month expiry from the date of entry in India cannot be eligible for an Indian visa online. 

When applying for an Indian tourist visa online, all the information that you have written in the application form. If any information is found wrong and mismatched, the visa approval or allotment can be rejected by the Indian government. 

Tourists need to arrive through the specifically certified immigration check post and the list of such Indian entry points, which you can see on the authorized website. 

Applicant needs to be present personally overseas to the visa center for applying e-visa for India. In case you are already in India during the application of e-visa processing then the visa will be refuted. 

Necessary Documents Requirement for Indian Tourist Visa Online

People who wish to apply Indian visa application at the lowest price need to have the essential documents, which are given below section:

A digitally scanned printout for the front page of the tourist password must have a minimum of 6 months of validity from the date of arrival in India.

Most recent Passport-size color photos (only the face needs to be visible) 

An active and valid email address 

Credit and debit card for application fee payment (you may use another mode of payment as applicable and relevant for the application fees) 

You can check https://indianevisa.info/ for complete information regarding Indian visa application at the lowest price and hassle-free process. 

Conclusion 

Other than completing the eligibility and submitting the necessary documents for the Indian tourist visa application, an applicant needs to fill in the correct details on the form. These details must match with the details provided in your passport. If the authority finds any mismatch or discrepancies, then they will reject your visa application. So, take the help of some experienced and authentic entities like indianevisa.info to help in applying and getting the online visa for your India visit. 

[hudsonmckenzie]

What are the benefits of getting Irish passport?

Because it offers so many advantages to its holders, the Irish passport is one of the most sought-after passports in the world.

Individual rights, the ability to work anywhere in the EU, free education, the ability to vote, and dual citizenship are just a few of these many advantages.

According to an Ireland immigration lawyer in UK, “The Irish Constitution grants you access to a number of essential rights. These liberties serve to safeguard you, your loved ones, and your independence.”

Among these essential liberties are:

the right to personal freedom and life

freedom of speech,

equality before the law,

freedom of religion,

freedom to travel in Ireland,

rights to one's own home and family,

and the right to privacy

You are no longer constrained by visa requirements that affect your ability to live, work, study, and travel as an Irish citizen. Acquiring a property would allow you to live there for as long as you like. Knowing that your visa will not expire allows you to apply for jobs. The Emerald Isle is yours to explore however you please.

The right to reside in the UK is also granted to Irish nationals. The Common Travel Area agreement, which predates the United Kingdom's admission into the European Union, remains in effect even after Brexit.

In the EU/EEA, live, work, study, and travel

Ireland's people are free to live, work, study, and travel to any other EU member state without the need for a visa or other limitations because Ireland is a member of the EU.

Irish nationals are able to freely travel across borders, emigrate, and investigate employment prospects abroad thanks to the unfettered movement between other EU members.

European Health Insurance Card applications are also accepted from Irish nationals. This permits temporary residents of Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein, and Switzerland to have access to state-funded medical treatment.

Ireland has agreements with various nations, outside the EU/EEA, that permit Irish nationals to travel without a visa.

Free Education

Regardless of citizenship status, all children living in Ireland are entitled to free primary and secondary school education.

If you meet the requirements of the Free Fees Initiative, you may be eligible for free higher education, including university.

You must be a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and have permission to live in Ireland in order to be eligible.

You have to demonstrate that you

are enrolled for the first time in an undergraduate course

are enrolled in a full-time program that runs for a minimum of two years.

have spent at least three of the preceding five years residing in a member state of the EU or EEA or in Switzerland

You have the right to study in other EU nations as an Irish citizen, and many of them provide free higher education.

Voting rights

Voting in general elections, local elections, presidential elections, and referendums is permitted for Irish citizens in both domestic and European elections. Not all Irish citizens have this privilege; non-EU nationals are only allowed to cast ballots in local elections.

You can make use of your democratic rights and influence national policy.

Both Ireland and the EU, elections for government positions are open to citizens of Ireland.

Dual citizenship

Multiple citizenship is allowed for citizens of Ireland. That is to say, obtaining Irish citizenship does not require you to give up your citizenship in another nation.

Some nations, like China, India, and Japan, prohibit dual nationality. You will have to give up your citizenship if you are a citizen of one of these nations and you wish to get an Irish passport.

[curejiraiya]

I don't usually like to headcanon more modern things into a story that are unrealistic to happen, at least not on a public post lol. like ik the average teenager in Japan 10 years ago isn't getting therapy as an option for their ailments I know that, but god idk I have to headcanon that both Hiro and Kouji get therapy between Rainbow Live and King of Prism they needed it so so so bad.

Kouji really needs to unpack how learning about how his father actually died and how the responsibilities of an adult were thrust on him when he was only a child caused him to distance himself mentally from everyone and everything, allowed insane depression to develop, and caused his self esteem to tank. like he got FUCKED up rightfully so by his dads death, did not grieve correctly, and then he's thrown even more information about it again when he's only like 15. That would literally make someone grieve again, he needs to talk to a professional and I think he does.

and fuck Hiro has so much to unpack. it's so much he needed to be in therapy by the age of 3. but specifically in the time gap he needed to work on his self esteem (he doesn't do this) but also his depression. like no I understand why he loses heart and motivation once Kazuki breaks his pride and snaps him to reality. But man, he has the eyes of a broken person. You don't just shift from broken and unable to function to completely normal overnight, there's a lasting impression even when things do get better. I think he got help getting back to normal. plus all the other problems he needs to unpack, his mom, his past, fuck his EVERYTHING.

Idk that man needs medication it would help him so so much and I think it does! I think that's how he gets better; a solid support group and medical help. there's my headcanon. Same with Kouji, like he has the strength to go to America and help and not shut down completely when something is going wrong because he got on medication and got help.

I also think like they continue this treatment lol, maybe when they're actually adults and not teenage adults they could look internally and decide if they still need help, and Kouji probably wouldn't anymore but Hiro's problems are lifelong. but through out Pride the Hero they're definitely still in therapy and on meds, or like at least had to pause their treatment for the plot of that movie and go back to it after.

actually this is my headcanon I can just say what I think happened. I think Kouji stops cuz he's in fucking America I don't think it's realistic to expect someone to see a therapist in a country they do not live in when they're like on a visa. that's what he is on right like he's 17 and he's on a work visa. do they even do that? google says there's no age limit so that's fine. but (even though his reaction is perfect I would not change a THING) I think it has him emotionally distancing himself again. like he puts it on himself to take this huge burden of raising money to save the school. he feels like he HAS to do this, which is true lol but he doesn't ask for help or mourn the loss of the fucking end of his senior year in highschool he just accepts it and goes to America. I feel like he probably wasn't doing very mentally well during that bit of his life lol and to be taken away (literally by being in a different country) from his mental health care would compound that issue. yeah. meanwhile I feel like Hiro is kinda a dope right, he probably still is in therapy throughout pride the hero because he doesn't really have a reason not to be, I just think he's probably not talking about anything important (I did this irl when I was slightly younger then he was in this movie so maybe this is a projection thing). like Hiro's like "hello therapist! today we will talk about the stress I feel when I think about this one specific and inconsequential piece of my childhood, and not idk my entire world crumbling down before me because of some distance between me and the man I like." like he's not emotionally mature enough to address the real problems he's facing yet, because unlike when he got therapy after Rainbow Live the problems aren't over.

but like that doesn't say anything about their characters idk I think it takes a LOT of strength to say "hey I need help" like THAT'S where they grew after Rainbow Live. they grew so much that they got the strength to be able to ask for help. they matured enough to realize they needed it, and to realize that no adult was going to do it for them.

idk I mean this actually isn't a crazy headcanon lmfao but I don't post headcanons usually cuz I'm scared people will make fun of my opinions ;-; but but this is an important one to meeeee these two boys need help! and I think they get it. they deserve to get it

[japaneseschooltokyo]

Whether you're a short-term visitor in ...

[swldx]

RNZ Pacific 1325 7 Aug 2023

7440Khz 1259 7 AUG 2023 - RNZ PACIFIC (NEW ZEALAND) in ENGLISH from RANGITAIKI. SINPO = 45333. English, s/on w/bellbird int. until pips and news @1300z anchored by Koroi Hawkins. The Vanuatu Parliament confirmed to RNZ Pacific the motion submitted yesterday was signed by 27 MPs and they are requesting Parliament convene an extraordinary session to debate the motion. There are 52 seats in Vanuatu's parliament' with one seat in the Malekula constituency vacant, this means 24 MPs did not sign the motion. Papua New Guinea is planning to conduct its national census in June next year, four years since it was originally scheduled to be carried out. A Pacific anti-nuclear organisation has condemned the Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's backing of Japan's plans release over one million tonnes of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. The US territories of the Northern Marianas and Guam are looking at a visa to solve their manpower woes. Saipan Chamber of Commerce board of director Alex Sablan says the 'One Marianas workers visa' was broached during a recent meeting with staff from the office of Guam Delegate James Moylan. Lack of construction workers is affecting both territories. Thousands of Tongans have sought medical help from the Chinese Naval Medical ship, the Peace Ark. Nearly 7000 people were received by staff, on the ship or in clinics set up on shore, for treatment and consults in the six days the ship was in port. 39 people had surgery on the ship. In NZ, an emergency doctor says he sees a steady stream of people unable to afford dental care who turn up to hospital with complications like abscesses and fevers, some cases of which resulted in deaths. The Green Party is promising free dental care for everyone, funded through a wealth tax. A landmark report into loneliness has found almost one in three Australians feel lonely, and the people we are least socially connected to are our neighbours. Sports. @1308z "Pacific Waves" anchored by female announcer. Backyard gutter antenna, Etón e1XM. 100kW, beamAz 35°, bearing 240°. Received at Plymouth, United States, 12912KM from transmitter at Rangitaiki. Local time: 0759.

[pawan9559]

How to get India visa simple way

Indian eVisa is an electronic travel authorization that allows foreign nationals to visit India for tourism, business, medical treatment, or conference purposes. It offers a convenient alternative to traditional visa application processes, enabling travelers to apply online and receive their visa electronically before arriving in India. Here, we will explore the key features, types, application process, requirements, and important considerations related to Indian eVisa.

Types of Indian eVisa:

a) e-Tourist Visa: Designed for tourism, sightseeing, recreational activities, visiting friends and relatives, and short-term yoga programs.

b) e-Business Visa: Intended for business-related visits, including attending meetings, trade fairs, or establishing industrial or business ventures.

c) e-Medical Visa: For individuals seeking medical treatment in India, including specialized treatment, alternative therapies, or seeking medical advice.

d) e-Conference Visa: For attending conferences, seminars, workshops, or similar events organized by government departments, UN organizations, and educational institutions.

Eligible Countries:

Indian eVisa is available to citizens of over 160 countries worldwide. Some notable eligible countries include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore, and many more. The list of eligible countries is subject to change, so it is essential to refer to the official Indian government websites for the most updated information.

Duration and Validity:

a) e-Tourist Visa and e-Business Visa: Valid for a double-entry visit of up to 60 days from the date of arrival. The visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

b) e-Medical Visa: Valid for three entries during a six-month period, allowing a maximum stay of 60 days per visit. In exceptional cases, the visa can be extended for up to six months by applying to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)/Foreigners Registration Office (FRO).

c) e-Conference Visa: Valid for single-entry within the dates specified in the invitation letter or the event ticket. The duration of stay is limited to the specific event period.

Application Process:

a) Online Application: Visit the official Indian government's eVisa website and complete the application form with accurate personal and travel details. Upload the required documents, including a recent photograph and a scanned copy of the passport's bio page.

b) Payment: Pay the eVisa fee online using the available payment options. The fee varies based on the type of eVisa selected and the nationality of the applicant.

c) eVisa Approval: After submitting the application and payment, the Indian government will review the request. Once approved, the applicant will receive an electronic visa via email, which should be printed and carried during travel.

Required Documents:

a) Passport: The passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in India, with at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.

b) Photograph: A recent, colored, passport-sized photograph with a white background.

c) Additional Documents: Depending on the type of eVisa, additional documents may be required. For instance, e-Medical Visa applicants need a medical letter from a recognized medical institution explaining the nature of treatment.

Important Considerations:

a) Point of Entry: Indian eVisa holders can enter India through

designated airports, seaports, and land border crossings. The list of eligible entry points is available on the official Indian government websites.

b) Travel Itinerary: It is advisable to have a confirmed travel itinerary, including flight tickets, accommodation details, and any planned activities during the visit.

c) Biometric Enrollment: Some eVisa holders may be required to undergo biometric enrollment at the immigration counter upon arrival in India. This includes fingerprint and facial recognition scans.

d) Restrictions: Indian eVisa is not valid for visiting protected/restricted areas, such as certain regions in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India. Separate permits or visas may be required for these areas.

e) Multiple eVisas: Individuals with valid eVisas cannot apply for another eVisa until the current visa expires or is canceled. It is essential to plan travel accordingly.

f) Extension and Conversion: e-Tourist and e-Business Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible to other visa types. If a longer stay or different visa category is required, the applicant must apply for a regular visa through the standard visa application process.

g) Overstay Penalty: Overstaying the eVisa validity period can result in penalties, such as fines or deportation. It is crucial to adhere to the specified visa duration and depart India before the visa expires.

h) Travel Insurance: It is highly recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen circumstances during the stay in India.

Conclusion:

Indian eVisa provides a streamlined and efficient way for foreign nationals to visit India for various purposes. With its online application process and electronic visa delivery, it simplifies the visa application experience, allowing travelers to focus on enjoying their trip. However, it is important to carefully follow the guidelines, understand the visa conditions, and stay updated with any changes or updates to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey to India.

Remember, this information is based on the knowledge available up until September 2021, and it is always advisable to refer to official government sources or consult with relevant authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding Indian eVisa.

[japanevisawebsite]

Japan Evisa Website

Japan is a beautiful country known for its rich culture, exquisite cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes. It has always been a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors every year. The Japanese government has recently introduced an eVisa program, which has made it easier for people to apply for a visa to visit Japan.

The Japan eVisa website is the official platform for visa application to Japan. The website provides a user-friendly interface that allows travelers to apply for a visa from anywhere in the world. The process is straightforward and can be completed in just a few minutes.

The Japan eVisa website offers different types of visas, depending on the purpose of the visit. For example, there are visas for tourism, business, medical treatment, and transit. The website provides detailed information on each type of visa, including the requirements, fees, and processing times.

To apply for a Japan eVisa, travelers need to fill out an online application form. The form requires personal information, such as name, date of birth, passport details, and contact information. Applicants also need to provide information on the purpose of the visit, such as the itinerary and accommodation details.

Once the application is submitted, the Japan eVisa website will provide an update on the status of the visa. Applicants can track the progress of their visa application by logging in to the website. The website also provides a list of frequently asked questions and answers to help travelers with their queries.

One of the benefits of the Japan eVisa program is that it has reduced the processing time for visa applications. The eVisa process takes just a few days, compared to the traditional visa application process, which can take weeks or even months. This has made it easier for travelers to plan their trips to Japan and has also helped boost tourism in the country.

In conclusion, the Japan eVisa website is an excellent platform for travelers looking to apply for a visa to visit Japan. The website is user-friendly, and the visa application process is straightforward. The eVisa program has made it easier and quicker for travelers to obtain a visa, which has helped boost tourism in the country. With its rich culture and stunning landscapes, Japan is a must-visit destination for any traveler, and the eVisa program has made it easier for people to experience the country's beauty.

Apply for eVisa Japan: CLICK HERE

eVisa for Japan Japan eVisa for Philippines Japan eVisa Registration Japan eVisa for US Citizens eVisa to Japan Japan eVisa Japanese eVisa Japanese Tourist Visa Japanese Tourist Visa Japanese Tourist Visa Japanese Tourist Visa Japan eVisa for Indian Japan eVisa Website Japan eVisa Website Japan Online Visa Japan Online Visa Application Japan Online Visa Apply

[japanevisaonline]

Japan tourist visa rules

If you're planning to visit Japan as a tourist, you'll need to obtain a Japan tourist visa before you arrive. Japan tourist visa rules are designed to ensure that visitors comply with the country's immigration laws and regulations. Here are some of the most important rules to keep in mind when applying for a Japan tourist visa:

Purpose of visit: The Japan tourist visa is issued for the sole purpose of tourism, so visitors are not allowed to engage in any kind of work or paid activities while in Japan. If you wish to work in Japan, you'll need to apply for a different type of visa.

Length of stay: The Japan tourist visa allows visitors to stay in Japan for up to 90 days. If you plan to stay for longer, you'll need to apply for a different type of visa.

Visa validity: The Japan tourist visa is valid for three months from the date of issue, so visitors must enter Japan within this period. Once you enter Japan, you're allowed to stay for up to 90 days.

Visa extensions: It's possible to apply for an extension of your Japan tourist visa while you're in Japan, but you must do so before your current visa expires. You'll need to provide a valid reason for the extension and pay a fee.

Re-entry permits: If you plan to leave Japan during your stay and then return, you'll need to obtain a re-entry permit before you leave. Without a re-entry permit, your Japan tourist visa will be invalidated when you leave Japan.

Compliance with laws: Visitors must comply with all Japanese laws and regulations while in the country. Failure to do so could result in fines, imprisonment, or deportation.

Medical insurance: Visitors are strongly advised to obtain medical insurance before traveling to Japan. Medical expenses in Japan can be very expensive, and visitors without insurance may be liable for the full cost of any medical treatment.

In conclusion, Japan tourist visa rules are designed to ensure that visitors comply with Japanese immigration laws and regulations. Before you apply for a Japan tourist visa, make sure to familiarize yourself with these rules to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Japan.

Apply for eVisa Japan: CLICK HERE

[anxiouscatadventures]

Docs and Double Checks

Before you even begin packing, making sure that you have all your documents in order is stressful enough.

Heres my list for you'll need.

Passport(s)*

Airline tickets - best to have these printed out in 2-3 copies.

Visa/ Letter of Sponsorship/ Proof of Vocation

Medical info - at the time of this posting, some countries are/were still requesting proof of negative test or proof of vaccination due to the recent COVID-19 Pandemic.

Follow on to medical info, please ensure that if you have allergies of any degree of severity or any other medical conditions that you might be at risk of in the air, you have documentation and/or medic-alert bracelets and treatment options on hand.

IDs

Qualifications and certification certificates. - this includes High School Certificates and any tertiary-/post-secondary qualifications you have obtained

Double checks:

In case you forgot the blog's URL, this is my experience as an anxious person traveling solo for the first time. As such I double and triple check many things and I ask questions if even the littlest bit of ambiguity could change the situation due to misinterpretation or misunderstanding.

Double check which comes first - passport or visa(if necessary)

Double check how long you have to input your passport info after purchasing your ticket

Double check if the airline counts a sperate laptop bag as carry-on luggage or if it isnt counted and you can then bring it seperate to your carry on.

Double check what medication you can take overseas and how much of it. - Some countries dont allow certain medications to be taken over as they are considered a different schedule in the destination country ( E.g. Japan doesn't sell ibuprofen over-the-counter, you need a prescription)

Double check what the typical temps and climate/weather conditions are for your destination country are so that you can pack and plan your plane outift appropriately.

[japanevisafaqs]

Japan eVisa for transit passengers

Japan eVisa for Study and Research Purposes: Everything You Need to Know

Japan is a popular destination for students and researchers from around the world, thanks to its world-class universities, research institutions, and unique cultural experiences. If you're planning to study or conduct research in Japan, you may need a visa to enter the country. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes.

What is the Japan eVisa?

The Japan eVisa is an electronic travel authorization that allows foreign nationals to enter Japan for short-term stays. It is an alternative to the traditional paper visa, and it can be obtained entirely online. The eVisa is issued by the Japanese government's immigration authorities and is linked electronically to the passport of the applicant.

Who is eligible for the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes?

Foreign nationals who wish to study or conduct research in Japan can apply for the eVisa if they meet the following criteria:

They hold a passport from a country that is eligible for the Japan eVisa program. A list of eligible countries can be found on the website of the Japanese government's immigration authorities.

They intend to study or conduct research in Japan for a period of 90 days or less.

They have been accepted by a Japanese educational or research institution.

They have sufficient financial resources to cover their stay in Japan.

They have no criminal record and do not pose a threat to public order or national security.

How to apply for the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes?

The application process for the Japan eVisa is entirely online and can be completed in a few easy steps:

Visit the website of the Japanese government's immigration authorities and select the "Study" or "Research" option.

Create an account and fill out the application form with your personal and passport details.

Provide information about your planned studies or research in Japan, including the name of the institution, the duration of your stay, and the purpose of your visit.

Upload supporting documents, such as your letter of acceptance from the Japanese institution, proof of financial resources, and a passport photo.

Pay the eVisa fee using a valid credit or debit card.

Submit your application and wait for a decision from the immigration authorities.

How long does it take to process the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes?

The processing time for the Japan eVisa is typically 3 to 5 business days. However, it can take longer if additional documents or information are required. It is recommended to apply for the eVisa at least 2 weeks before your planned departure date to allow for sufficient processing time.

What are the benefits of the Japan eVisa for study and research purposes?

The Japan eVisa offers several benefits for foreign students and researchers, including:

Convenience: The eVisa application can be completed entirely online, saving time and effort compared to the traditional paper visa application process.

Speed: The eVisa is typically processed faster than the traditional paper visa, allowing students and researchers to enter Japan more quickly.

Flexibility: The eVisa allows for multiple entries into Japan during the validity period, making it easier for students and researchers to travel in and out of the country.

Security: The eVisa is linked electronically to the applicant's passport, reducing the risk of fraud or identity theft.

Conclusion

The Japan eVisa for study and research purposes is a convenient and efficient way for foreign students and researchers to enter Japan for short-term stays. By following the application process and meeting the eligibility criteria, you can obtain your eVisa and begin your studies or research in Japan with ease.

[rohit890]

Defibrillators Market Key Players, Share, Trends, Sales, Segmentation And Forecast To 2031

Market Overview

The defibrillators market was valued at USD 11.8 billion in 2021 and it is anticipated to reach up to USD 29.3 billion in 2031 at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period.

Defibrillation is a technique that is considered as a definitive treatment for cardiac arrests and arrhythmias. Defibrillators are devices that are used to defibrillate or stabilize the heartbeat of a patient in a condition of arrhythmias and ventricular tachycardia. The major function of defibrillation in ventricular arrhythmias is to apply a controlled electrical shock to the heart, which results in the depolarization of the electrical conduction system of the heart. After the heart is polarized the normal electrical conduction is attained, thus terminating the ventricular arrhythmia.

View Detailed Report Description: https://www.globalinsightservices.com/reports/defibrillator-market/

Market Dynamics

The key factor boosting the growth of the market is the rising prevalence of target diseases. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and disability across the globe. Worldwide, 17.9 million deaths owing to CVD were reported in 2019, which amounts to 32% of the total deaths across the globe (Source: WHO). More than 75% of deaths owing to CVDs occur in low- and middle-income countries. In the US alone, there were more than 390,000 sudden cardiac arrests in 2018 (Source: American Heart Association). Of the total US population, around 65% of deaths due to CVDs occur in people aged 75 and over, 29% in the age group of 55–74, and 6% in the age group of 35–54. Due to this, the demand for defibrillators has increased, as these devices help save the lives of patients at a high risk of cardiac arrest.

The increasing geriatric population across the globe is another key factor contributing to the rising prevalence of CVD, as aging is associated with progressive deterioration in the structure and function of the heart and acts as a catalyst in the development of chronic diseases. So, with the growth in the geriatric population across the world, the incidence of heart diseases is expected to rise.

The key factor hindering the market growth is the issue related to the use of implantable and automated external defibrillators. AEDs installed in public places are sometimes prone to failure owing to problems related to the battery, software, and hardware. Failure to perform defibrillation may result in delayed treatment or even death. Over the years, a number of defibrillators have been recalled owing to technical errors in the functioning of the device with respect to shock delivery, electrical issues coupled with hardware configuration. These defects may lead to undesirable product performance and even the death of the patient in some cases. In 2018, the FDA, in conjunction with Philips, issued a recall notice for various models of the HeartStart MRx Defibrillator. The recall was caused by a defect in the gas discharge tube (GDT), which could lead to the malfunction of the defibrillator. In 2021, Medtronic recalled the Evera, Viva, Brava, Claria, Amplia, Compia, and Visa ICDs and CRT-Ds due to the short battery life associated with these devices.

Get Free Sample Copy of This Report: https://www.globalinsightservices.com/request-sample/GIS10265

The key players studied in the defibrillators market Medtronic (Ireland), Stryker Corporation (US), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan), Boston Scientific Corporation (US), Abbott (US), Nihon Kohden (Japan), MicroPort (China), BIOTRONIK (Germany), CU Medical Systems (South Korea), METsis Medikal (Turkey), Mediana Co. Ltd. (USA), Mindray Medical International Ltd. (China), Progetti SRL – Medical Equipment Solutions (Italy), Schiller AG (Switzerland), BPL Medical Technologies (India), Metrax GmbH – PRIMEDIC (Germany), MS Westfalia GmbH (Germany), Bexen Cardio (Spain), Axion Medical Equipment Ltd. (Russia), Element Science Inc. (US), Avive Solutions Inc. (US), Jeevtronics Pvt. Ltd. (India), HeartHero Inc. (US), and Shenzhen Comen Medical Instruments Ltd. (China).

About Global Insight Services:

Global Insight Services (GIS) is a leading multi-industry market research firm headquartered in Delaware, US. We are committed to providing our clients with highest quality data, analysis, and tools to meet all their market research needs. With GIS, you can be assured of the quality of the deliverables, robust & transparent research methodology, and superior service.

Contact Us:

Global Insight Services LLC

16192, Coastal Highway, Lewes DE 19958

E-mail: info@globalinsightservices.com

Phone: +1–833–761–1700

[catdotjpeg]

On Aug. 6 & 9, 1945, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima & Nagasaki. The Korean A-Bomb Victims' Association estimates 100,000 of the 700,000 killed or injured by the bombs were Korean. Korean A-bomb survivors are still fighting for justice. This is their story.

In WWII, 5 - 7 million Koreans were conscripted as forced laborers throughout Japan's empire. 670,000 Koreans were sent to Japan to work in shipyards, arms factories, mines, farms, or as "comfort women."

In 1945, 80,000 Koreans lived in Hiroshima and at least 30,000 in Nagasaki. Most Hiroshima Koreans worked in war-related industries or farmed small plots after having lost their own land in Korea.

As colonial subjects, Koreans experienced widespread social discrimination, poverty, and lived in segregated neighborhoods. These factors contributed to their high rates of radiation exposure and death.

50,000 Koreans died in the atomic bombings or shortly after. Most of the 43,000 survivors returned to Korea. The Korea Atomic Bomb Casualty Association estimates 60% of survivor-returnees died of radiation-related illness or in the Korean War.

Survivors have faced many challenges in S. Korea. The ROK govt ignored survivors for decades. Many survivors & their children were disabled & unable to work or afford medical care. 20% of 2nd & 3rd-gen descendants of survivors have congenital deficiencies & hereditary diseases.

In 1957 Japan began to offer medical benefits to atomic bomb survivors, but excluded Koreans. Korean A-bomb survivors "illegally" crossed borders, filed lawsuits, and fought for decades to receive legal and medical rights in Japan. Some are still fighting to be recognized.

After WWII, the US refused responsibility for A-bomb survivors, but continued to test and station nuclear weapons throughout the Pacific. Korea is just one link in a long chain of US nuclear destruction, from mines in the Belgian Congo and Diné/Navajo lands to the Pacific.

Although most Korean A-bomb survivors left Japan for what became South Korea, about 3,000 went to North Korea. Japan has never compensated any A-bomb survivors in North Korea. Like all DPRK citizens, these survivors receive free medical care.

The decades-long struggle for Korean A-bomb survivors' rights is not over. To this day the Korean A-bomb Victims’ Association continues to [make demands.] Justice for Korean A-bomb survivors means more than reparations and recognition; it means an end to the US nuclear arsenal and the system of imperialism these weapons of mass destruction protect.

-- Nodutdol | 노둣돌, Aug 6 2021 

[IMAGE ID: 1. Photos of the mushroom clouds resulting from the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan. 

2. Photo of conscripted Korean workers at Hiroshima's Mitsubishi Shipyard in 1944.

3. An infographic which reads “As colonial subjects, Koreans had high rates of death and radiation exposure due to housing and medical discrimination. Koreans were crowded into downtown areas, closer to the blast sites. Koreans stayed in the cities after the bombings, while many Japanese took refuge with relatives in the country. Japanese hospitals turned away Korean victims who sought help.” 

4. Hapcheon memorial shrine, dedicated to the Korean victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima. 

5. A screencap from a news report, showing a woman with a white ribbon tied around her head. The caption identifies her as “Yi Maeng-hee, a Korean A-bomb victim” and quotes her, saying “My children are in the same condition. One of them has been in the hospital for 6 years. There’s no one supporting us.”

6. An infographic which reads, “In 1957 Japan began to offer medical benefits to atomic bomb survivors, but excluded Koreans. Survivor Son Jin-doo illegally entered Japan to file a discrimination lawsuit and demand his benefits. He won his case in 1978. In order to receive benefits, survivors needed two witnesses, and at least one had to be a Japanese national. After 1952, all Koreans in Japan were stripped of Japanese citizenship. Most survivors living in South Korea couldn’t get visas to visit Japan. Not a single Korean received medical benefits from Japan until the 1970s.” A photo of Son Jin-doo is included. 

7. An infographic which reads, “After WWII, the US refused responsibility for A-bomb survivors, but continued to test and station nuclear weapons throughout the Pacific.” There is a photo of a mushroom cloud, captioned, “US nuclear test in the Marshall Islands. Marshallese people are still living with the effects [of] radiation in their homeland.” The infographic continues: “Until 1958 the US conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands. As many as 950 nuclear missiles were stationed in South Korea from 1958-1991. The US also stationed nukes in the Philippines, Okinawa, Taiwan, Guahan, and Hawai’i.” 

8. An infographic outlining the demands of Korean A-bomb survivors: “1. Japan pay reparations and give medical treatment to Korean survivors and their descendants. 2. The US apologize, pay reparations, sign the treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and denuclearize. 3. South Korea, Japan and the US recognize the impact of hereditary conditions on 2nd and 3rd generation survivors.” 

9. A photo of Sim Jintae, President of the Korean A-bomb Victims’ Association from 2015, and a quote reading: “I must hear the US apologize before I die, and I want to make sure my children can live without the threat of US nukes.”] 

[omoi-no-hoka]

Rural Life and Mental Health in Japan as a Gaijin

Heads up: This is a very long, personal post about mental health and the stresses of living in rural Japan as a foreigner. If it’s not what you’re looking for in this blog, please feel free not to read it. If you can’t tell by the gif above, this isn’t going to be a very positive post because I’m not in a very positive mood.

------------------------------

It’s been just shy of five and a half years since I moved to Hokkaido, the northernmost island/prefecture in Japan. In many ways, it’s similar to the American Midwest, which is the region I’m originally from. It’s big on agriculture, it’s got lots of nature and rural areas, winters are long and nasty, and the people have a warmth that make up for the cold snow and ice outside. Heck, even a lot of the flora and fauna are the same.

I think of my current city as my “Japanese hometown” because it was where I stayed during my first trip to Japan and it’s where my hostparents from that time are. I love it here like I love my country bumpkin village of 2,800 back in the states.

But after a little over two years of living and working in this city, I think I need out. I am...tired of it in many ways.

特別扱い Tokubetsu Atsukai, “Special Treatment”

Prior to living in this city, I lived in Sapporo, which has a population of 2 million. There, no one batted an eye at a foreigner walking the streets. A lot of them were surprised that i could use Japanese, but a good few people were used to gaijin that could use nihongo and read kanji.

But in my current city, I have experienced all of the following things, some of which on a daily basis.

DISCLAIMER: I have also had a LOT of very positive experiences with the people of this city. Most of my experiences have been positive or neutral, but a good 40% have been as described below.

Everywhere I go, I am openly stared at. Gawked at, at times. (I am your standard-looking, standard-dressed, slightly overweight white girl. No visible tattoos, piercings, vibrant hair color, or otherwise attention-grabbing aspects about me other than the fact that i am clearly not Japanese.)

I am often spoken to like I am mentally disabled, or if I am with a Japanese person, they will refuse to speak to me and instead speak to my Japanese companion.

I have entered restaurants on my own and had waitstaff make a big “X” with their arms and say “No English” immediately upon seeing my non-Japanese face.

I have had waiting taxi drivers drive off instead of allow a troublesome foreigner into their car.

I have sat down alone at a bar and had the Japanese people beside me openly gossip about me with the assumption that I could not understand them.

When searching for apartments when I moved to this city, I was denied 75% of my picks because they have a “no gaijin” rule. Despite the fact that I can speak and read, that I have a good job and valid visa, and that I have already lived here 3 years without a single late rent payment or complaint against me.

I have built up casual relationships with employees at grocery stores, etc. I frequent, and they have asked me for my contact info because, in their own words, “I’ve always wanted a gaijin for a friend!” In Japan, every girl wants a token gaijin friend instead of a token gay friend.

I have gone on dates with Japanese men who clearly just wanted a white girl to hang on their arm like a piece of swag and insist on taking me to a pasta place because “You must prefer western food to Japanese food” or insisting that I dye my hair blonder to look more foreign.

I am just...so very tired of this 特別扱い (special treatment).

I don’t want to call it 差別 (prejudice) because, the majority of the time, Japanese people think they are doing me a kindness by speaking slowly and simply, or by telling me as soon as possible that they cannot help me in English, etc. While a couple of the above experiences are straight up racism (I’m looking at you, asshole taxi drivers and landlords), most of them are a misguided form of “omotenashi,” a.k.a. Japanese hospitality.

So I try very hard not to let it get to me, because I know that they don’t wish ill upon me. But I’ve worked so goddamn hard to learn this language and speak it well, and it is so frustrating for the people around me to assume that I can’t do what has been my freaking life goal. Or having people assume I can’t understand slightly difficult words and dumb down their language (Even colleagues I’ve worked with for two years now!). In the middle of a conversation they’ll say things like, “It’s hard to deal with that level of animosity--oh wait, omoi-no-hoka-san, sorry, ‘animosity’ means ‘dislike.’”

They mean it in a helpful way, but it just comes across as very condescending and I end up thinking, Oh, so they think my Japanese proficiency is so low i can’t understand that word. Which sends me into doubt over whether my language skills are actually that deficient, or whether I am speaking in a way that makes myself look at bad at Japanese.

The Effects of 特別扱い (Special Treatment)

It’s been gradual, but over the past two years, I have found myself withdrawing from the outside world. I got bad at replying to friend’s messages. I started making excuses to avoid meeting up and hanging out. I would buy all the groceries i needed to last me through the weekend on Friday after work and not emerge until Monday morning to go back to work. Even though I really love the outdoors and used to spend entire days just riding my bike along the river trails here.

...But in the past few months I’ve become unable to answer even close friends’ phone calls and messages. And I’ve even had a hard time phoning my parents, which is crazy because ever since I left home for uni I’ve called my mom on a daily basis. When I think about stepping outside of my apartment, no matter the reason or destination, I am gripped by a dread so strong I nearly throw up. I have gone a couple weekends without food because it would require me leaving my apartment to buy some, or paying for very expensive delivery which also means interacting with whoever is bringing me that food.

I’ve had a stressful summer and fall at work, and that undoubtedly has contributed to my current anxiety overload. But things have settled down at work for the past month now, and not only have I been given an award that only 2% of employees get globally, recently I have been in talks to take on what is very nearly a dream position for me within the company that is a BIG step up career-wise. I have great bosses who recognize my efforts, who listen to what I have to say, and do what they can to help when I tell them I’m in over my head.

But I have had several days where I have woken up, gotten ready for work, and just frozen at my apartment door, too sick at the thought of going outside. And yet, I can’t stand the thought of calling in sick because I feel chronic, self-imposed guilt when I take a day off, no matter the reason. So I call in to work and tell them I have a stomachache and will be in once it’s gone, (which isn’t an absolute lie), and then drag myself into work within a couple hours.

And once I enter the office, do the obligatory bow and apology for being late and causing inconveniences, the dread and anxiety vanish and I am fine until it is time for me to go outside to return home.

This makes me think that work is not a main stressor right now. It doesn’t matter if I’m going to the convenience store or the grocery store or work or anywhere. I think the constant being stared at everywhere I go has gradually accumulated to become a nasty form of social anxiety. I used to have panic attacks in middle school and high school due to home life, but since removing myself from that environment they’ve gone away. I’ve always been a socially-reserved person who shies away from the spotlight, and despite telling myself a thousand times, “Let them look at you--you’re just being you and they’re being them and that’s OKAY,” I just can’t brush it off. I have very, very seriously considered dyeing my hair from its natural brown to black in an effort to blend in, if only slightly. Which is laughable, but that’s just how much it bothers me to stand out.

But the event that really sounded the alarm for me was when my best friend of 10 years, a Japanese girl whom I met by chance my freshman year of uni, who was my roommate for 4 years of uni, who let me sleep on her living room floor here in Japan for 3 months until my work visa came through, who has been with me through thick and thin, sent me a message asking when she could drop off a souvenir for me and

I couldn’t bring myself to reply to her text.

That was when I very clearly knew that I was too deep in this funk to get myself out on my own, and I had to figure out how to get help.

Frankly, despite having struggled with panic attacks and anxiety in the past, I have never sought professional help. Until now, I never felt that my symptoms were so bad that they warranted medication. But the fact that i can’t contact my mother or my best friend, that I would rather not eat anything for two days instead of go outside, means that snorting essential oils and rubbing rose quartz against my temples or whatever isn’t going to be enough.

Mental Health Views in Japan

It’s not exactly a secret that the approach to mental health in Japan is “sweep it under the rug.” You do not talk about it. You may go to a doctor and receive medication, but you do not get counseling, because that involves talking about it. You do not tell your friends. You do not tell your family. You DEFINITELY do not tell your coworkers.

I saw my boss, T, fall into a very similar spiral to my own this summer. Stomach aches in the morning, coming in late, making excuses to get out of outings outside of work, not replying to messages, not sleeping well. And then one day he just vanished. Didn’t show up one Monday.

T wouldn’t respond to our messages so we had to contact his mother to get a hold of him. And once she had confirmed that she had spoken to him and scolded him for being “selfish” by skipping work, my coworkers were satisfied because, in their words, “Now that we know he’s still alive, we don’t have to worry.”

Honestly, that was one of the most fucked up reactions to any situation I have ever seen. I was shocked, because these coworkers truly cared for him, but their mutual reaction to this was to just...let him languish.

T announced to a select number of supervisors/colleagues that he had been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and would be stepping down from his position. He said that he had been diagnosed years ago, but had not disclosed it because he knew that he would never be promoted if anyone knew.

And that’s one of the big reasons that no one wants to talk about their mental illness here. In Japan, having a mental illness is a shameful thing. It shows that you’re weak, that you can’t keep up with everyone else, that you are flawed in a way that will adversely affect those around you at one point or another.

But my company really is a great company and the people in charge are progressive. T has a lot of great skills and experience, and they didn’t want to let him go. So they told him that they would find someone to fill his current role, but once he had rested and gotten better, they wanted him to come back and do a position that he used to do, one that he really shined in and enjoyed. And that is where he’s at now, and he’s doing much better for it.

So, having seen all of this unfold mere months ago, I grappled with how much I should tell my employers. The talk of this new and big position in Tokyo was underway, yet I knew that I wouldn’t be able to handle it unless I got better.

So I bit the bullet, and on the night that I couldn’t respond to my best friend’s text, I sent my boss a message, explaining my symptoms, how long they’d been going on, what I thought the causes were, and that I wanted to take the morning off to see a doctor about it sometime that week.

And I was really shocked by his reply.

This boss is the guy that filled T’s position, and i didn’t know him that well yet. As it turns out, he used to be a counselor before he joined this company. He told me that I could go to the doctor whenever I wanted, but that he also wanted to talk in person about this the next day.

The next day he called me into the conference room with one other manager, a guy I really trust and like. When T vanished, shit really hit the fan at the office and it was basically this manager and me keeping us afloat for the first couple weeks, so we’ve got a lot of camaraderie going. They asked me to talk more about what was going on, why I was feeling all this anxiety, etc.

And it was during this conversation that I saw the division between the traditional Japanese views of mental health and modern views of mental health.

When I explained to them both why I wanted to see a doctor and try medication, their reactions were mixed. My boss, the former counselor, said that if I thought it was best, trying out medication for a few weeks was a good idea.

The manager looked doubtful and said, “But do you really think that going to a doctor and getting pills from him will fix everything? If you’re diagnosed, what will your colleagues think? I thought you wanted that promotion.”

In that moment i felt intense fear and regret, as well as hurt. T had said that he had withheld his diagnosis for this very reason. A part of me had wanted to think it was paranoia on his part, but now I realized that he had been right to keep it a secret. This manager, whom I knew very well and trusted deeply, clearly was of the opinion that a diagnosis/medication = evidence of weakness.

So I ended up lying and telling them, “I’ll go to the doctor just to get some sleeping pills.” (I’ve been waking up every hour on the hour for a couple months now.) Sleeping pills aren’t frowned upon in Japan and the manager was pleased with this decision.

And after that manager left, I told my boss the truth, that i would be getting anti-anxiety meds as well because I really thought it was necessary, and that I would appreciate him not disclosing it unless he was required to, which he agreed to.

Seeing a Psychiatrist in Japan

So now i had to find a psychiatrist and make an appointment. A Google search provided me horrors. Below is an excerpt of a Google review of a certain mental health clinic in my city, and the record of the exchange between the doctor and reviewer (patient). I’m not going to translate it all because it’s long, but these are some highlights of the doctor’s words directly to the patient.

“You can’t sleep? I can’t sleep either. What, do you want some pills for it?”

“You can’t expect me to believe what a patient says.”

(After he made the patient cry) “You are being so difficult. Could you stop crying?”

He gives her medication, has silent nurses send her out to the waiting room where she continues to cry, and the doctor comes to the waiting room and says, “Could you hurry up and pay and leave?”

Having read this, I was filled with absolute fear. Maybe I was better off trying to fix this on my own after all.

But I kept searching, and I also learned that my city hall has a 心の相談窓口 (Kokoro no Soudan Madoguchi), “Mind Consultation.” You can call them to learn information about what sorts of mental health facilities/options are available in your area. A very kind lady there informed me that it takes about 2-3 months to get in to any psychiatrist in this city, most of them do not take new patients, and that counseling is almost non-existent. Unless I was a harm to myself or others, I would have to wait. However, there was one general hospital in the city that had one psychiatrist staffed. This hospital has no reservation system whatsoever (very common in Japan) and takes a set number of patients in the morning and evening. I could try my luck to get in and see her.

So that was what i did, and I was able to see her on the first morning I went! I think the Kokoro no Soudan Madoguchi lady made it sound harder to get into so I wouldn’t feel let down if it didn’t work out the first time I went.

Having read the horror story above, I had a lot of trepidation stepping into the exam room with her and two nurse secretaries. I had expected it to be a very clinical, dry exchange of symptoms and a sufficient prescription with a token お大事に。

And, more than anything, I had feared that she would say something like, “Maybe you should just go home to your own country where you wouldn’t stand out.”

But she asked me a wide range of questions, with none of them focusing on the fact that I was a gaijin: what my symptoms were, how long they’d been going on, what I had going on in my life, what work was like, past history of anxiety, etc., and she and the nurses all truly listened to what i had to say. It was clear that she cared about the underlying causes and me as a person.

She told me that it sounded like I was experiencing a buildup of stress and anxiety and that she wanted me to try a low dose of anti-anxiety meds and sleeping pills for a week and then come back for another discussion.

That was 3 weeks ago. I’ve since been in the process of working with her to find the right combination of medication. Fun fact: they prescribe you Rohypnol (roofies) for sleeping meds in Japan if they deem your insomnia is serious enough. So. That is interesting.

Where I Am Now

I am keeping my boss informed of my condition and he is still very supportive. He seems to have informed his bosses of my tribulations to some extent, because they have gone out of their way to check in on me and see how I’m doing, which is very kind of them. Of course, they also know that i went above and beyond the call of duty for several months in a row until recently, and they could simply be asking because of that. Either way, I am touched that they would think of me, as I am a lowly translator for a lesser project and they are quite a ways up on the corporate ladder.

I am still in talks about taking on a very exciting position in Tokyo HQ, despite one of those bosses likely being aware of my situation to some extent. I used to dread the thought of Tokyo because I am a country girl who needs to see green, but recently I’ve come to the tough decision that I need to leave my beloved Japanese hometown, just like i left my American one. I love them, but I do not belong in them. I have visited the Tokyo HQ quite a few times, and there are a ton of foreigners in the area so I don’t stand out at all. I think that as long as I can live reasonably close enough to a park, I can satisfy my needs for nature while lessening my social anxiety.

I am having good days and bad days where it is still hard for me to leave the house. But I am having more good days than bad now. And today I was finally able to send a text message back to my best friend. Which really doesn’t seem like a lot, but it is a lot to me. My friend is supportive and understanding, which means the world to me.

I’m getting back to being me. 💗

p.s.: The gif at the top of this is from the anime Mushishi, which I think illustrates various mental illnesses and their effects in a very metaphoric way.

[generickink]

Feb 14, 2020 Coronavirus Update: continue not panicking.

I’ve been reading over the last several days of  World Health Organization (WHO) Stituation Report (sitrep) and listened to the last month of This Week in Virology (TWiV) podcasts, and some interesting information came to the front.

Here’s the tl;dr (AKA executive summary)

Public health response: Bad initial responses made the outbreak worse. Learn from what didn’t work and do do it again. Panic ensures more bad decisions.

What if it mutates and gets worse? That is really unlikely. Mutations are inevitable, but increased mortality usually means less transmission.

Are there treatments? Yes, but no guaranteed cures, just like almost everything else.

New official name: COVID-19. Learn it, love it, quit calling it by the city of first recognized case. 

Pandemic risk: Started out as extremely low, now really extremely low.

Source of virus: Probably bats. Definitely not snakes. 

Would I go to China? Hubei? Wuhan? Yes, yes, and yes. Would I do it right now? No, I need to pack. I can go in the morning. I have a current visa and a few yuan from my last trip, so I can make due until I can get currency converted. I also know how to wash my hands and perform other risk limiting actions.

Is it over yet? No, but barring more bad decisions here and abroad, it should be on the way to resolution.

Public health response: We are still in the don’t panic stage in most of the world. It appears that China didn’t move quickly enough to quarantine a small number of infected individuals and their contacts, then panicked and attempted to quarantine 10 million people, then 30 million people. 

Large quarantines DO NOT WORK! They make the people in the quarantine zone panic and seek to find a way out, typically in ways that evade detection. Large quarantines can push an epidemic to become a pandemic. You also limit the access to the area from people that are coming to study the outbreak and care for the sick.

Bad quarantine decisions DO NOT WORK! In Japan, where one of the largest outbreaks outside of China has not officially occurred, around 3000 people are confined to a cruse ship because of an outbreak on it. These people, because they have not undergone immigration and customs processing are not technically in Japan, but are in international transit. (Update: people testing negative are being allowed to leave the ship. Finally, good news. It doesn’t mean that a poorly constructed and planned quarantine worked, because it probably led to more infections than moving everyone to a hotel where trained medical staff could have provided care in rooms larger than prison cells. Seriously. the average stateroom is tiny.)

What if it mutates and gets even worse? That doesn’t usually happen with viruses that jump species. They usually mutate and cause a less severe disease in the new host species after several transmissions. Right now, this virus isn’t very effective at spreading, but it could mutate to spread more easily. When that happens, most of the time, the resulting illness is milder. Infectious diseases need to be passed on to new hosts, so the more hosts it can infect, the better. It also improves its chance of spreading if it doesn’t cause severe illness. 

Based on past outbreaks, this is a pretty standard pattern. The morbidity/mortality rate will fall the longer the epidemic runs, both because we get better at treating it, and because the virus evolves to treat us better. A dead host is not necessarily a good transmitter of every disease.  

Are there treatments? There are some decent antiviral treatment plans that help in other severe coronavirus outbreaks, but a vaccine is months from being ready, and will be most useful in preventing future outbreaks from spreading.

Name that virus! There is a new official name for NCoV. WHO has named it COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019). Makes sense. Since “novel” (the N in NCoV) meant new, and this isn’t going to be the last coronavirus outbreak, it would just eventually cause confusion. Pronunciation? If I wanted to be pedantic, I’d go for CUH-vid, sort of matching the first syllable of corona. I’ll be using COVID to refer to NCoV from here on.

Pandemic risk: The risk of a pandemic appears to be over. Cases identified outside of China are steadily decreasing, which is a very good thing.

Above is figure 2 from the Feb 14, 2020 WHO sitrep on COVID-19. This bar graph shows reported cases outside of China that we have travel data for. Each day is a separate bar, and is divided by color to show where people had recently traveled to, or if they had not traveled at all. The curve shows a large spike of travelers to the Hubei province of China peaking in the last week of January. The second largest group, people that had not traveled recently, shows two spikes, the first coinciding with the Hubei exposed group, which we can assume are probably family members of the people returning from China who accompanied their sick family members to the hospital for a checkup. The second peak is about a week after the first one, and is again, probably friends and family who were infected by the returned patient. The rest are likely to be workers in the travel industry, perhaps working at airports.

Source of virus: Genetic comparisons of related viruses known to be present in wild animals in the Hubei have given good results. It most likely originated in bats, as it has high sequence similarity to the SARS coronavirus, which is a bat virus that doesn’t cause severe illness in the fuzzy little fliers. It may have passed through an intermediary host, though, as the market where the outbreak was thought to originate from does not appear to have had any bats for sale. If you find the thought of eating bat meat to be something that clearly is a high risk behavior, we should have a talk about the western food production and distribution system... and what frat boys will eat on a dare. 

The WHO are recommending improved food supply control and market hygiene. This will be no easy task, as unregulated outdoor food markets are a part of Chinese culture, and when I was in China, I passed through a couple just while walking to a restaurant near the hotel. I considered picking up a watermelon on the way back, but I was stuffed.

Would I go to China right now? YES!

I have a current travel visa for China and would love to go back right now, when the weather isn’t quite as hot. Would I go to Hubei? Absolutely! No fear at all. If a university in Wuhan were to ask me to come over and consult on how to convince people to not be terrified by the epidemic, but to follow the same preventative measures used to stop SARS? Sure, but I’m not certain that I’d be the best pick for the job. I’d probably pack some N-95 masks, a box or three of nitrile exam gloves, and my international travel kit, plus clothes and I’ll be on the plane! 

Wash your hands. Cough into a scarf or sleeve. Wear a mask and safety glasses that cover your eyes when you are out and about (I wear glasses, so I have to use the ones that fit over them). Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without washing your hands. Alcohol based hand sanitizer helps, but isn’t perfect, so wash your hands for 20-30 seconds with soap!

Is it over yet? No, and the people of China, especially Hubei will have a very difficult month, but it looks like the initial stage has passed. The quarantine/hospital tent cities make me nervous because I’m worried that people will try to hide instead of seeing a doctor if they feel sick. 

When we panic, we invariably stop thinking rationally. Panic makes it harder to make good decisions. Find the person in the room that is calm. They have a better chance of knowing what to do than the person trying to build a pillow fort while hording all the surgical masks.