Originally Posted by
fimo
I'm wondering if that pdf form was not a visa - but the ERFS that allows you to apply for a visa from the Japanese embassy/consultate. It sounds like you possibly missed the most important step of getting a visa issued in your passport. There might have been some misunderstanding in what the Houston consulate told you - they're not wrong that tourist visas are done through a tour group, but unless you handed your passport over to the tour agency and delegated them the authority to apply for a visa with the consulate and embassy using the ERFS, then you only had the first step completed. The consulate's message is probably that you cannot directly apply for a visa without an agency/business providing you the ERFS.
I agree.
I got several special entry visas during the pandemic restrictions from different countries. How is an ER doctor like the OP to know the difference between ERFS approval and visa approval? Over the years I have had many visas, like Vietnam, where I presented the visa approval pdf upon arrival and the visa was put in my passport at the airport. If the travel agency/tour organizer did not provide clear instructions I can see how the OP did not realize he had to go to the Japanese consulate to get the actual visa.
The immigration officer has no real leeway in Japan, they are sticklers for rules. The rules were changing for passengers scheduled to arrive on or after a certain date. He did not meet that criteria. Most, not all, but most countries' immigration officers would have done the same.
OP, when you have time check with the Japanese consulate and ask them if you will be free to enter with visa waiver in the future. Many countries do not allow visa waiver entry for people who have been denied entry or deported. If you need to apply for a visa, you will need to do it in advance. I expect you will get it with no real difficulty, just allow enough time when applying. It would be good to keep clear records of what happened this time and an apology and explanation from the tour organizer will be very helpful if you need a visa.