Photo/Illutration Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya responds to a question at a news conference. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said he had confirmed that the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has suspended new interview appointments for student visa applicants.

The move reflects a May 27 directive by President Donald Trump to all U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.

Iwaya told a May 30 news conference that the U.S. Embassy had formally notified his ministry of the development.

“We believe this is a temporary measure,” a ministry official said.

The official inferred the pause is purely temporary until Washington announces expanded vetting of social media posts by those interested in studying in the United States.

An official with the U.S. Embassy told The Asahi Shimbun the new measure is a “global policy” that will affect nations around the world.

The Foreign Ministry and the U.S. Embassy said applications for student visas were continuing to be accepted and those with appointments for interviews will be accommodated as scheduled.

Iwaya, noting concerns raised by those planning to travel to the United States, said at his news conference: “We have asked the U.S. government to provide the appropriate information. We will strive to make the appropriate response by grasping what the situation is through close contact with our U.S. counterparts.”

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