"Japan mulls language visa tests"

An article in the BBC news website (full article here)

Despite my laziness and general lack of any natural talent for languages; I would have to say that I'm in agreement with Japan's Foreign Minister, that foreigners should have at least a grasp of the Japanese language before living and working here (for long-term visitors)... it definitely would " improve their quality of life". You try living here and getting on with your life without a word of Japanese...

However, I fail to see how it will stop terrorism OR illegal immigration.

I do however, find the closing paragraphs hilarious... and typically* 'Japanese'

"Last year an opinion poll carried out for the government found that more than half the foreigners who live in areas where they mix with Japanese people would like more opportunities to interact with them.

But only one in 10 of the Japanese living in the same areas wanted to talk to someone from abroad."

ie. the foreigners want to talk to the Japanese, but the Japanese don't want to talk to foreigners...HUZZAH! (the same is probably true if you swap the word Japanese for British)

*'typical, as in stereotypical... in a highly prejudiced manner... it in no way reflects the behaviour or outlook of the Japanese I ever get to talk to , at any length. Bearing this in mind the only Japanese that will talk to me are 1. the open-minded, want-to-speak-to-foreigners-and-would-like-a-more -rounded-society types, and 2. able to speak English.