Certificate of Eligibility. Been to Japan, but no stamp!

[Bissen]

Hi Jpod'ers

I tried to make the title as describing as possible.
The thing is that through my Danish university, we're offered to go to Japan for one trimester to study at a university overthere.
I have previously been to Japan, which I have written i min application papers (and so has my professor in the recommendation), BUT - I went to Japan in 2010, and had my passport renewed in 2011. Being given a new passport, my old one may have been disposed of/destroyed, though I don't quite remember.

Anyhow, I can't find that passport, and thus cannot prove that I have been in Japan. The university just asked for it... but if I don't have it, can I not get the COE, and thus my student visa? Will I not be able to go study this spring?

The contact person from my own university won't be back until January 3rd, and I would really like to know what to prepare for. Also, I may go to Japan regardless, as I have no lectures in Denmark until August, and then just make a turn for Korea for a week or two, and then head back to Japan on the regular tourist visa.

Does anyone know about all this? No passport stamp => no COE => no abroad studying?

Hoping for replies! Thanks!

[community.japanese]

Bissen-san,
I'm not a specialist in that field, but there're some possibilities...when you came to Japan in 2010, what was the
purpose of stay? Did you stay long enough to have "gaikokujin tourokusho" (ID card for foreign people in Japan)?
In any case, immigration office should keep record as well as authority in your country.
Finding out your previous passport number might help.
I'm sorry I can't be of your help...

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[Bissen]

I traveled with a regular tourist visa - the one you get automatically without applying for it.

I SHOULD have my old passport number; I remember I took copies of it when I went there, just to be sure I had it if I accidentally lost my passport.

Thanks a lot!

[community.japanese]

Bissen-san,
Glad I could help a bit Good luck!!

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com