If you are a long-term or permanent resident foreigner in Japan, from November 20th, you're going to be in for a shock at Immigration. Like many others, after a long trip back to Japan, I have always appreciated the right to be able to pass through the Japanese immigration lines with my re-entry permit. At the same time, I look at the long lines for the Foreigners immigration line, and thank my lucky stars that I don't have to get caught up in that for an hour or more.