The Passport Panic That Started With 'OK Google, What Year Is It?'

An incident from a few days ago...

Before my trip, today was my only day off.
So, I was rushing to get ready from the morning.
It's been a while since my last trip abroad.
My destination is Singapore.

First, I downloaded the app required for entry and started reading the instructions.
Then, I saw it written there.
“To enter Singapore, your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining.”

……Huh?

I was at the hair salon at that moment.
Naturally, I didn't have my passport with me.
There was no one at home either.

While having my hair washed, I started thinking.

I had confirmed that my passport hadn't expired.
But then, the memory from that time came back to me.
“I feel like that was all I had left.”
The feeling of, 'Just barely made it.'
At the time, that was enough to put my mind at ease.

……This is bad.
Six months is tricky. Extremely tricky.

What should I do if the expiration date isn't enough?
Even if I apply for a renewal via Myna Portal,
there's no way it would arrive before my departure.

But, at worst...
rather than being told 'You cannot enter' after arriving in Singapore
and being sent back,
it's better that I know now.

……Is it, though?

I finally managed to adjust my schedule and take paid leave from work.
The Night Safari, the botanical gardens, and the flight tickets were all already booked.
I even made sure to go for early voting.
After preparing all this,
is it all going to go to waste?

The blood drained from my face all at once.

I
rushed out of the hair salon with my hair still wet and dashed home.

I got home, shooed the cats away,
and opened the shelf where my passport is kept.
Maybe because I was panicking, I couldn't find mine for a while.

Found it.
Expiration date: 2028.

……What year is it now?
For a split second, I truly didn't know.

“OK Google, what year is it now?”

It is 2026.
Huh? Really?
I asked again.
The answer was the same.

SAAAAAAFE!!!

If you don't check your passport's expiration date, it can drive you this crazy.
It's terrible for your heart.
It's just too much for the heart.

Please give me a like to celebrate that I made it safely 🍺

Also, today is election day.
Let's go vote for the sake of Japan.