Micheal Nakamura

Probably depends on the person. Some people view half-Japanese people as foreign, while others view them as "one of their own." And this may depend on language and culture (usually via upbringing), and maybe nationality. Ethnic Japanese living in other countries are often treated similarly in a chameleon like manner depending on the person.

Besides ethnicity, there are some things to consider.

• According to Wikipedia, he holds dual citizenship. Japan currently doesn't allow dual citizenship. I am not sure when Japan adopted this policy, but it might have been after Nakamura was born. So he indeed still has dual citizenship.
• He represented Australia in the Olympic games.
• He was actually drafted by the Nippon Ham Fighters. Japanese citizens and those who played in Japanese high schools, colleges, and universities are eligible. Nakamura had never played in Japan before.
• When the Nippon Ham Fighters held a press conference for incoming players, Nakamura couldn't attend because of a "visa problem" according to the media. Now, Japanese citizens do not need a visa to enter Japan.
• I don't know whether he gave up the eligibility to be considered for the Rookie of the Year award. (I know Mac Suzuki did.)

So, is he a foreign player? I don't know. Some people, say fans of rival teams, might not like the fact that he doesn't take up a foreign player spot.

- Japan currently doesn't allow dual citizenship. I am not sure when Japan adopted this policy, but it might have been after Nakamura was born. So he indeed still has dual citizenship.

This has long been Japan's policy, but there are some ways to get around it. These loopholes invariably rely on one unavoidable fact: country A has no say over a passport issued by country B. So, although Japan can demand that people with Japanese and some other citizenship choose to be either Japanese or foreign, it effectively cannot check that someone did so.

One common example is children born to Japanese parents that have moved to other countries. In many cases the kids automatically get citizenship of the country they were born in as well as Japanese citizenship courtesy of their still-Japanese parents who register the birth with the Japanese authorities, and Japan asks that the children choose one nationality by the time they turn 20. But what is Japan going to do, track them down and force them to do it?

Anyway, I have no idea about Nakamura's situation, but this might go some way to explaining it. Also, if he was here on his Australian passport and not his Japanese one, that might account for the visa situation.

FWIW.

- Also, if he was here on his Australian passport and not his Japanese one, that might account for the visa situation.

If that is the case, he is to be treated as a foreigner by some law regarding a passport, isn't he?

- But what is Japan going to do, track them down and force them to do it?

I guess refusing to issue a passport could be used when appropriate.