This is only true in some countries. It’s not in the USA for example, which requires that even connecting passengers clear the US border and customs at their point of entry.

And Canada.

They’ve finally started doing a better job of not requiring you to pickup your luggage while transiting only to drop it off another belt a minute later.

But that’s not universal.

I think the US and Canada are the exceptions rather than the rule. (Because of course they charge people for a transit visa)

It’s more likely that the “because” has to do with people claiming asylum.

If you don’t require transit visas it becomes fairly trivial to get into the US and claim asylum while supposedly in transit to somewhere else.

I don't understand that rationale. Even if you have a transit visa you could still claim asylum.

https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/can-you-...

The only trick would be if the government a priori refused transit visas to people suspected of seeking asylum without hearing the asylum case, which would be a gross violation of immigration law.

It wouldn’t violate the law to refuse a transit visa to someone who hasn’t yet made an asylum case and is currently located in a foreign country.

How could it?

I think you may be thinking of refusing to honor an existing valid visa at the border, rather than refusing to issue one at all before someone travels.

No country is required to honor a visa at the border. Even with a green card someone can be refused admittance to the country at the discretion of CBP.

Only citizens have an absolute right to entry.

I see. That makes sense.

9000 km by the great circle route is too far for executive jets. And you'd go via Turkey to avoid flying over Syria and Israel.

The real question is how he left in the first place.

Doesn’t Japan have exit controls?

Did they sneak him into the airport as maintenance personnel and then get him on a plane?

It’s a wild story if this article is to be believed:

https://nypost.com/2019/12/31/ex-nissan-honcho-carlos-ghosan...

(Hiding in a musicians’ case; used by musicians who really weren’t).

Surely this will be made into a movie or even a series.

There was a BBC article a couple of days ago, saying it had been reported he was helped by a band. They came to his place then left with him hidden in an instrument case (I would assume a Bass).

The airport part is not clear, but either they not very thorough when checking instruments for private jets, or they bribed someone I guess.

I was curious about this and didn't get an answer, but I found this:

Japan now supports tourism efforts but charging 1000¥ to leave the country! https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/04/10/national/japans...

Um, that's $10 USD.

> You shouldn't even need to show a passport to fly through a country's airport if you transit through

There are all kinds of manifest declaration requirements that would need to be ignored.