Saitama Governor Calls on Government to Suspend Japan-Turkey Visa Waiver
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On July 28, 2025, Saitama Governor Motohiro Ono, speaking at a discussion session with prefectural assembly members, indicated his intention to ask the Japanese government to suspend the visa waiver agreement between Japan and Turkey. He reportedly cited repeated cases of inappropriate stays by Turkish nationals as the reason.
Japan and Turkey have had a visa waiver agreement since 1985, under which Turkish nationals may enter Japan visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or short-term stays (Japanese nationals receive the same treatment when entering Turkey). Various incidents involving Kurdish residents have been reported within Saitama Prefecture, centered on Kawaguchi City (related coverage), and the governor's proposal appears to reflect this situation.
Reviewing a visa waiver agreement, a diplomatic arrangement, is properly a matter for the national government to decide, making it an extremely unusual case for a local government leader to directly wade into such a diplomatic matter with a request. As the source outlet is relatively small, corroboration from other media is recommended.
Suspending a visa waiver agreement is a diplomatic arrangement normally decided by national bodies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is extremely unusual for a local government leader to make a direct request on such a diplomatic matter, and the case draws attention as an instance of a local government attempting to have the foreign-national-related issues it faces influence diplomatic decisions at the national level.
Trouble involving Kurdish residents reported mainly in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture (related coverage), is believed to be the backdrop to the governor's remarks.