Kei Komuro consulted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the "visa issue," and the MOFA was baffled: “it would interfere with US’s internal affairs.“

 

Kei Komuro, 30, the husband of ex-princess Mako, who retook the bar exam this month, has a serious "visa problem" and is consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Tightrope-walk-like Stay in NY

 

According to a Japanese government official.

 

"Mr. Komuro has approached Japan's MOFA for advice on his visa."

 

　If he already has a work visa, there should be no need to consult with MOFA. However,

 

“If he already has a working visa, there is no need to consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but I think it is very likely that he is still on a student visa (F-1). He is probably still on a student visa and is using the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program.”

 

Said Mr. Ricky Tokunaga.

 

The OPT program is available to graduates of American universities and graduate schools. It's like a one-year work permit, and it's common to get a work visa after the OPT period is used up, and many international students who graduate from law school will use the OPT program. Many international students who graduate from law school will use the OPT.

 

　A journalist in the US said:

 

“There is a rule that the OPT must begin within 60 days of graduation. In the case of Ms. Komuro, who graduated from Fordham Law School in May of last year, the OPT must begin by July at the latest. One year later, in July of this year, his OPT and the work permit that goes with it will expire.”

 

“It would be an interference in US’s internal affairs."

 

　In other words, by May at the earliest, or July at the latest, she will no longer be able to stay in the U.S. on her current visa. Was this what Mr. Komuro was worried about when he approached the MOFA for advice?

 

“However, issuing a visa is a matter of national sovereignty. No matter how much Mr. Komuro asked for advice, MOFA and the consul general of New York would accept the request, but even if we were to ask the U.S. government to issue a new visa for Mr. Komuro, the chances of them agreeing would be close to zero. MOFA is scratching its head, saying, ‘If we do that, it would be interference in our internal affairs.’” the government official said.

 

　It has been reported in this magazine ("Shukan Shincho") several times that MOFA and the Consulate General of New York are providing full support to Mr. and Mrs. Komuro in their search for housing and work. This is probably why they consulted with MOFA about their visas, but there is nothing MOFA can do to assist them in this matter. Therefore, the two of them had to do something on their own.

 

Even if they pass the bar exam,

“There is a possibility that Mr. Komuro will apply for an H-1B visa, which requires a high level of professional knowledge. In order to obtain this visa, he must have passed the bar exam and be qualified as a lawyer. But even if you fail the bar exam, there are cases where you can get an H-1B visa by working as a 'researcher' or in some other capacity.” Mr. Ricky Tokunaga explained.

 

“The problem is that the H-1B visa application process is a lottery every year, and the winning rate is usually less than 50 percent. Even if you pass the bar exam, if you fail the lottery, your application will not be approved. However, even if this is not possible, there may be a possibility for an E-2 visa, for example. This is called an investor visa, and if you set up your own company and invest a substantial amount of money in the U.S., you will be eligible to stay.”

 

However, an administrative scrivener working on behalf of a U.S. visa agency said, "E category visas are for people who have held high positions, and the screening process looks at the number of years of experience in the position. Since Mr. Komuro has never held a managerial position, it is unlikely that he will pass the screening process.”

 

Possibility of Returning to Japan

 

　The lottery and the strict screening process .......This may be the reason why Komuro was in such a hurry to consult with MOFA about his visa.

 

“The most reliable way for Mr. Komuro to stay in the U.S. is to stay on a student visa. In other words, she will have to re-enter another university or graduate school," said Ricky Tokunaga.

 

　Of course, if Mako, who is said to have 100 million yen in savings, were to become a "pimp" for the couple, there would be a great deal of criticism.

 

　A Japanese government official (mentioned above) said.

 

“If the couple is unable to obtain a new visa, they may have to return to Japan. However, the two of them may want to avoid that, so they may think about leaving for a 'third country' such as Canada or Mexico.”

 

　Canada was the first country Prince Henry and Princess Meghan chose to move to after they "left" the British Royal Family and are now living in Los Angeles. I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. Komuro will end up "wandering" around the world like these two.

 

Published in Shukan Shincho, February 17, 2022