(December 15, 2020) iCLA Information on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Degree-Seeking Students

This page provides information about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for iCLA students. Please be sure to check this page regularly for the latest information (make sure to check the entire page as we update relevant sections), as the situation in Japan changes frequently.

General Information of the Courses for Fall 2020
Travel Restrictions to Japan
⋅ General
⋅ This Applies To The Following Students
⋅ For Students Who Would Like to Re-Enter Japan
⋅ What You Need To Do Before Coming To Japan
⋅ What You Need To Do After You Arrive In Japan
State of Emergency Announced for Yamanashi Prefecture
Medical Services
Contact
Additional Links

General Information of the Courses for Fall 2020

(Updated August 6th)

In consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the courses in Fall 2020 at iCLA will be conducted mostly online. Students can register for, attend, and earn credits for the classes offered online which can be taken remotely in Japan or from abroad (with the exception of a few workshops) using Zoom (free software available online). However, students are allowed to be on campus to be in the environment where support for studying is available. For example, classrooms will be available for use if students would like to study in the iCLA building, computers can be borrowed on a daily basis, and free Wi-Fi is available on campus (conditions apply). Additionally, advisors will be physically on campus to provide support for the study, and students can consult them directly as needed.

Travel Restrictions to Japan

(Updated September 23rd)

Announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Re-entry of foreign nationals who possess the status of residence

General

On 28th August 2020, the Government of Japan announced its decision that all foreign nationals with the status of residence who have left and will leave Japan before 31st August 2020 with a valid re-entry permit, are now eligible to re-enter Japan from 1st September 2020.

Official announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001074.html

List of countries/regions which have been denied entry

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html

This applies to the following students:

Students who departed Japan with a special re-entry permit or re-entry permit before the entry restrictions were placed.
Students whose residence card is still valid (has not gone past the expiry date)

**This re-entry to Japan does NOT apply to students whose residence card is invalid and who currently hold the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) as entry restrictions have not been lifted.

For students who would like to re-enter Japan

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, upon arrival to Japan, students are required to find an accommodation to be in self-quarantine for 14 days and arrive at their destination without using public transport.

♦ If you are an iCLA dormitory resident and UNABLE to find accommodation to be in self-quarantine for 14 days, you must follow the instructions below:

1. Read the announcement by the Japanese government carefully and complete the necessary procedures to enter Japan.
2. Make sure to book transportation designated by the Japanese government to come to iCLA. Check the following website for a list of taxis available for transportation from the airport:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/newpage_00020.html
3. Contact iCLA Admin Office and share the following information:
– Your flight information (flight number, arrival date, and time)
– Your estimated arrival time and date to iCLA
*MAKE SURE you share your travel information well in advance with us and keep us updated should your flight schedule get changed or canceled. We will not be able to prepare a place to stay for you if you do not let us know.
4. iCLA will contact you with details of your place to stay according to your estimated arrival date & time. Please follow the instructions carefully when you arrive at the campus.

♦ For those who are ABLE to find accommodation to be in self-quarantine for 14 days, please inform the iCLA Administrative Office of the following.

1. Return date to Japan
2. Transportation method from the airport to the place to be in self-quarantine
3. Address of the place to be in self-quarantine

*Please make sure to keep an eye out for the information sent from the iCLA Administrative Office. When asked to respond, please do so promptly.

What you need to do before coming to Japan

Read the below link and understand the process and required documents for re-entry.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page25e_000334.html

Obtain the “Re-entry Confirmation Letter” from the Japan Embassy in the country you reside

**As this is issued on a first-come first-served basis we recommend that you apply as soon as possible.

Purchase the flight ticket.
Take the PCR test.
→ Must be conducted within 72 hours of the departure time of the flight.
Have the “Certificate of Testing for COVID-19” filled in and signed by the medical institution where you took the test.
**The result must be negative.

What you need to do after you arrive in Japan

Submit the “Certificate of Testing for COVID-19” to the quarantine officer at the airport.
Submit the “Re-entry Confirmation Letter” to the immigration officer at the airport.
** If you do not submit the above documents, you are denied entry into Japan.

You will be requested to put yourself in self-quarantine for 14 days.

For the latest information about Suspension of Visas, Restrictions on Entry to Japan, Quarantine Measures, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html (English)

State of Emergency Announced For Yamanashi Prefecture

(Updated December 15th)

The government of Yamanashi prefecture has extended its request for everyone’s continuing cooperation with prevention measures against the spread of the coronavirus during the period from December 1^st to February 28^th. The period and details of the current request for cooperation may change depending on the forthcoming situation.

Reference (English): https://www.pref.yamanashi.jp.e.aao.hp.transer.com/koucho/coronavirus/info_coronavirus_emergencymeasures9.html

General information about the coronavirus in Yamanashi is available in multiple foreign languages through the links below:

Accordingly, the iCLA Administrative Office would like to urge everyone to observe the following measures to minimize the risk of spread of infection and ensure the health and safety of everyone in the community.

Refrain from traveling to and from Tokyo or other prefectures where the number of infection cases is high
Do not make any unnecessary or non-urgent outings.
Do not gather in large groups.
Practice physical distancing as much as possible.
Wear a mask, wash your hands often, and practice cough etiquette.
Avoid the “three C’s” (Closed spaces, Crowded spaces, Close-contact settings).
Refrain from entering and exiting places where many people may gather and possibly create congestion. (dining in groups/meetings/drinking parties, use of Karaoke and fitness clubs, participation in cultural centers, use of movie theaters, pachinko parlors, arcades, etc.)
Download the COVID-19 Contact-Confirming Application (COCOA) smartphone app:
Apple – App Store
Android – Google Play
Register for the Yamanashi Prefecture Official LINE Account (Novel Coronavirus Countermeasure Personal Support) (Japanese only)

We ask for your ongoing understanding and cooperation to minimize the risk of spread of infection and ensure the health and safety of everyone in the community.

Medical Services

It is to be noted that, in many of the medical institutions in Japan, especially those around the university campus, it is highly unlikely that medical services will be available in a foreign language. There are no hospitals where medical services can be provided in English nor Chinese and university staff will not be able to provide medical interpretation. We would appreciate your kind understanding on this matter.

If a student is not feeling well prior to departure to Japan:

Please check the student’s respective Government’s policy as well as the respective Japanese Embassy/Japanese Consulate’s official home page (if no relevant information is available on home page, contact directly) and follow travel procedures accordingly. Contact iCLA immediately to inform of the student’s health situation and updated travel plans.

If a student is not feeling well after departure from respective country and arrival in Japan:

Inform the Immigration Services Agency at the port of entry into Japan (e.g. Narita Airport/ Haneda Airport) and follow instructions directly provided. Contact iCLA immediately to inform of student’s health situation and instructions received from the immigration authorities.