Japan’s government is cutting passport fees in a bid to incentivize overseas travel, which has yet to recover from the pandemic. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/02/17/japan/japan-passport-fees/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #passports #travel #forex #exchangerates #tourism #yen #japaneseeconomy
Beardy Star Stuff 🏴🌹🇵🇸
and 6 others
boosted
AP: Nonprofit libraries ordered by State Department to stop processing passport applications
Politics Feb 13, 2026 7:51 PM EST
NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — The U.S. State Department has ordered certain public libraries nationwide to cease processing passport applications, disrupting a long-standing service that librarians say their communities have come to rely on and that has run smoothly for years....
Alex Akselrod
boosted
(Gee, I wonder why they would be making it HARDER to get a passport?)
USA Today: What is the SAVE Act? Voter ID law passes House
"...Under current laws, many Americans need to present some form of identification to register to vote. The act would require Americans to show additional documents that prove their citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate...voters may need to obtain additional documentation, such as a marriage license, divorce decree, or passport − which could take time and cost money. That extra effort could add barriers to reduce participation, she said, especially among people who have changed their names.."
Alex Akselrod
boosted
From the story:
"...The spokesperson did not respond to questions as to why it has become an issue now and exactly how many libraries are impacted by the cease and desist order...."
From the story:
"...The spokesperson did not respond to questions as to why it has become an issue now and exactly how many libraries are impacted by the cease and desist order...."
(Gee, I wonder why they would be making it HARDER to get a passport?)
USA Today: What is the SAVE Act? Voter ID law passes House
"...Under current laws, many Americans need to present some form of identification to register to vote. The act would require Americans to show additional documents that prove their citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate...voters may need to obtain additional documentation, such as a marriage license, divorce decree, or passport − which could take time and cost money. That extra effort could add barriers to reduce participation, she said, especially among people who have changed their names.."
AP: Nonprofit libraries ordered by State Department to stop processing passport applications
Politics Feb 13, 2026 7:51 PM EST
NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — The U.S. State Department has ordered certain public libraries nationwide to cease processing passport applications, disrupting a long-standing service that librarians say their communities have come to rely on and that has run smoothly for years....
From the story:
"...The spokesperson did not respond to questions as to why it has become an issue now and exactly how many libraries are impacted by the cease and desist order...."
AP: Nonprofit libraries ordered by State Department to stop processing passport applications
Politics Feb 13, 2026 7:51 PM EST
NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — The U.S. State Department has ordered certain public libraries nationwide to cease processing passport applications, disrupting a long-standing service that librarians say their communities have come to rely on and that has run smoothly for years....
I know this is the #BigotBroadcastingCorporation but I don't doubt this but CNN, CBS and Politico also confirm this.
Here's the SCOTUS' official writing and here's a legal blog going over it.
Obviously #Sotomayor dissents, alongside #Jackson...
I'm neither a #US citizen nor #trans nor #nonbinary, (and yes these things ain't necessarily correlated!) but if I were I'd certainly #GTFO and find an #immigration #lawyer to check options given the #TransGenocide that is being orchestrated.
- Cuz legally #ForcedDetransition is just that! THIS is exactly how the #Nazis trapped Trans* and Nonbinary individuals as well as Jews and opposition figures in Germany: By refusing to issue #Passports or having them stamped with a red J.
Refusing to issue documents consistent with someone's gender identity is basically an "invisible T-Stamp" because in the age of #NakedScanners* this will get people incarcerated, denied entry or deported for "identitiy fraud".
- Just like #Switzerland and #Sweden denied people without explicit visa entry if they had a red J stamped on their #passports!
#USpol #Trump #democide #genocide #TransDemocide #HumanRights #TransRights #TransRightsAreHumanRights #Passports #FreedomOfMovement #FreedomOfTravel #TransErasure #Detransition #Fascism #Trumpism #MAGAts #MAGA #MAGA_fascism #Christofascism
joene 🏴🍉
boosted
Japanese passport holders have visa-free access to 190 destinations out of 227 globally — just behind Singapore, which remains in the top spot with access to 193 destinations. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/24/japan/society/japan-national-passport-index-ranking/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #singapore #passports #tourism #southkorea