Hong Kong pro-democracy activists face Japanese entry hurdles despite visa exemption

Pro-democracy figures from Hong Kong who have completed prison terms are encountering unexpected obstacles at Japanese immigration checkpoints, with some detained for hours and others refused entry despite a visa-free arrangement for visits of up to 90 days. The individuals, convicted of charges including illegal assembly, fall under Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, which bars entry for anyone sentenced to a year or more unless the offense is political.

Jimmy Sham, who finished a more than four-year subversion sentence in May 2025, was held for almost 22 hours at Haneda Airport before being admitted, saying officers seemed unaware of Hong Kong’s security law. Experts such as Isao Itabashi argue the incident was foreseeable and appropriate, while scholars like Tomoko Ako note Japan has yet to define “political offender,” creating ambiguity. The Japan Hong Kongers Association reported a prior case where a 2019 assembly convict was sent back to apply for a visa. The situation has drawn criticism from Tokyo, which called Beijing’s security law “regrettable,” and raised concerns about diplomatic strain between Japan, Hong Kong and China.