After over 18 months of restrictions, Japan has lifted its entry ban on overseas students, ending a long wait for many who have seen their study plans disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
But due to the substantial paperwork required by authorities and a daily cap on arrivals, foreign students are still in for a wait before they can enter Japan.
The onerous process has sparked criticism from students — many of whom are facing a dilemma over whether to keep waiting or explore other academic options — as well as from universities, who fear they'll lose talented students to rival schools in other countries.