Japan rolls back general shutdown on inbound flight bookings amid criticism

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The Japanese government said on Thursday it had withdrawn its request for airlines to completely stop taking reservations for inbound international flights this month following criticism that the measure against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus goes too far. .

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida admitted that the Transport Ministry’s announcement the day before had confused the public, telling reporters he had called on the authorities to “adequately heed” the wishes of the people of go back home.

Under the measure, Japanese citizens and foreign residents would not have been able to re-enter until next year unless they had already booked.

The main government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, told a press conference that the ministry had withdrawn the request. Following the move, All Nippon Airways Co. and Japan Airlines Co. said they were preparing to take new bookings for flights to Japan.

Wednesday’s request to airlines came as Japan also lowered its daily cap for people arriving from overseas to 3,500 from 5,000.

The Omicron variant has a large number of mutations and scientists are concerned that it may no longer be transmissible than previous strains of the coronavirus or that it may escape the immunity provided by vaccines.

The World Health Organization has designated it as a “variant of concern”, warning that it is likely to spread globally and poses a “very high” risk.

Kishida acted quickly to prevent the Omicron variant from entering Japan, banning new entries from foreigners and tightening quarantine rules for Japanese citizens and foreign residents returning from countries fearful of outbreaks, including the South Africa, which first reported finding the strain last week.

But the measures have also been criticized for going too far or for being discriminatory.

The WHO has urged countries not to impose blanket travel bans, saying they are ineffective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus and place a heavy burden on people’s lives.

Asked about Japan’s ban on new entry of foreigners, Michael Ryan, head of the WHO’s health emergency program, said at a press conference on Wednesday: “Epidemiologically, I have hard to understand the principle there. Does the virus read your passport? virus know your nationality or where you legally reside? “

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks with reporters at the Prime Minister’s office in Tokyo on December 2, 2021, about border control measures amid growing concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. (Kyodo) == Kyodo

Associated coverage:

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