Japan's Unilateral Strengthening of Entry Restrictions, Foreign Ministry Calls It a "Clear Unfriendly and Unscientific Measure"... Announces Strong Countermeasures

Japan, Australia, and Singapore differ from initial entry ban countries... "Interpreted as measures arising from growing domestic anxiety"
"Abe acknowledges 'public anxiety' and admits the measures are unscientific," critics say

Japan has decided to strengthen entry restrictions on travelers arriving from Korea starting from the 9th, citing the prevention of COVID-19 spread as the reason. On the 6th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha summoned Koji Domita, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to express regret. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the government is reviewing reciprocal measures against Japan, which unilaterally strengthened entry restrictions on arrivals from Korea, relevant ministries are consulting on various possible actions. It is widely expected that the Korean government's reciprocal measures against Japan will be announced before the 9th, when Japan's strengthened entry restrictions are set to be fully implemented.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs first evaluated that Singapore, Australia, and Japan, which recently imposed or strengthened entry bans, differ from countries that had previously banned entry. A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained in a closed briefing on the 6th, “Countries that initially banned entry from Korea did so because they lacked confidence in their own healthcare systems, but Singapore, Australia, and Japan have well-established healthcare systems and quarantine capabilities, so the situation is different.”

The official criticized these countries' strengthened entry restrictions as unfriendly and unscientific. The senior official said, “As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has rapidly spread recently, the anxiety among their citizens has surged, leading to strong measures. We consider this an unfriendly and unscientific response.”

In particular, the official clearly viewed Japan’s recent measures as violating the principle of reciprocity. They also assessed that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s reference to “public anxiety” was an admission that the measures were unscientific.

Japan has strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from Korea and China, requiring them to wait for two weeks at locations designated by quarantine officers and requesting that they refrain from using public transportation within Japan. Additionally, Japan will suspend visa-free entry within 90 days until the end of this month and refuse entry to foreigners who have stayed not only in Daegu and Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province but also in Andong, Gyeongsan, Yeongcheon, Chilgok, Uiseong, Seongju, and Gunwi. This effectively amounts to a comprehensive entry ban on Korea.

The senior official stated, “Korea has not imposed entry restrictions on Japan, but the Japanese government has done so citing public anxiety, and organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) have said that entry restrictions are not a scientific method for disease control,” emphasizing, “Therefore, we consider these measures unscientific and unfriendly.”

Regarding Australia and Singapore, which are advanced in quarantine but have also imposed strict entry restrictions, the official dismissed the idea of taking reciprocal measures, saying, “Basically, Korea-Japan relations and Korea-Australia relations cannot be the same, and the COVID-19 situations are different.” It is interpreted that Japan’s entry restrictions and the Korean government’s tough response reflect the frozen Korea-Japan relations due to forced labor compensation rulings and Japan’s export control measures.

Another official added, “We view Japan’s measures as diplomatic in nature, and we are also taking diplomatic measures.” This suggests a high likelihood that the Korean government will take strong countermeasures against Japan’s strengthened entry restrictions.

Japan has decided to strengthen entry restrictions on travelers arriving from Korea starting from the 9th, citing the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is heading to her seat for a meeting after summoning Koji Domita, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@