TOKYO, Jan 11 Japan protests China over suspension of issuance of visas to this country, said at a press conference on Wednesday, Secretary General of the Government of Japan Hirokazu Matsuno.
“Our country has taken measures due to the sharp deterioration of the coronavirus situation in China and the difficulties in obtaining accurate information. In order to avoid a massive influx of infections in Japan, temporary measures were taken from December 30 to restrict entry and provide negative test certificates. «These measures are designed not to interfere with international exchanges as far as possible. China, for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus, has suspended the issuance of visas (to the Japanese). This is extremely regrettable, we protested to the Chinese side through diplomatic channels and at the same time demand the lifting of these measures,» Matsuno said.
China has suspended the issuance of visas to Japanese citizens since January 10 after the country's authorities announced tougher COVID quarantine measures for arrivals from China due to an increase in the number of coronavirus infections in this country. In particular, mandatory testing for coronavirus has been introduced for arrivals from China, and only 4 airports accept flights from China. China considered these measures discriminatory.
In December last year, the Chinese authorities began to actively weaken the anti-COVID policy, which for almost three years remained the toughest in the world, negatively affecting the economy, global production and supply chains, tourism and interstate exchanges. A significant adjustment in measures came after a wave of protests in the country's largest metropolitan areas demanding to lift lockdowns, stop regular large-scale PCR testing, and begin a policy of easing anti-epidemic measures. Since January 8, as part of a move away from the «zero tolerance» policy for the coronavirus, quarantine and PCR testing for people arriving from abroad have been completely canceled.
At the same time, the country is experiencing an increase in the incidence of COVID-19, the status of which, since January 8, the Chinese authorities have transferred from class «A», which includes especially dangerous diseases, to less dangerous class «B». Against the backdrop of an increase in the incidence in China, a number of countries decided to tighten measures for passengers arriving from China. In particular, Japan, the USA, Italy, South Korea oblige those arriving from China to take tests for COVID.