... about Japan that I honestly don't understand.

 From Mainichi:
http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20040705p2a00m0dm012000c.html

In short, there is a Thai girl's whose grandmother lives in Japan and is 
married to a Japanese. The girl's parents died, so she went to live with 
her grandmother. The Japanese government refuses to give her a visa 
other than a temporary visitor one, even though the Japanese man has 
adopted the girl.

Just doesn't make sense; I'm hoping there's more to the case than meets 
the eye.

John W.