Some Hong Kongers jailed for democratic activism face Japan entry barriers

Some pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong have faced unnecessary hurdles from Japanese immigration officials upon their return after serving prison sentences, according to sources familiar with the matter. Despite a visa exemption for Hong Kong visitors since 2004 to stay up to 90 days, individuals convicted of crimes including illegal assemblies have been detained for hours and refused entry at Japanese border checkpoints.

This stems from Japan's Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, which bars entry for those sentenced to imprisonment of a year or more, except in political offense cases. A Hong Kong individual jailed in 2019 for an illegal assembly was asked to return to Hong Kong to apply for a visa upon arrival in Japan. Jimmy Sham, a pro-democracy activist jailed in May 2025 for subversion, was held for nearly 22 hours at Tokyo's Haneda airport before being allowed entry.

He claimed the border control officers did not understand the Hong Kong national security law and pressured him to abandon his trip. Isao Itabashi, a crisis management expert, stated that the prolonged detention was appropriate, fearing the incident could escalate into a diplomatic issue. Japan's Immigration Services Agency declined to comment on the criteria used for entry based on criminal records.

Tokyo has criticized Beijing's national security law, claiming it will harm international relations. Alric Lee, a Hong Kong researcher, said he has never witnessed such incidents in any other democratic country, emphasizing the pressure Chinese law exerts on individuals abroad. Professor Tomoko Ako noted the lack of clarity around what constitutes a political offender, leading to ambiguity for those with criminal records.