Japan Blocks Entry of Its Own Citizens Trying to Stop Omicron... Retracts After Public Outcry

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government is facing backlash after blocking the sale of airline tickets to prevent the domestic influx of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. Criticism has mounted that the measures are excessive, as they even block the entry of Japanese nationals.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan was revealed to have requested airlines not to sell new international airline tickets with Japan as the destination until the end of this month as an entry control measure to prevent the influx of Omicron.

Accordingly, Japan's two major airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines, suspended the reservation sales of these tickets, leaving Japanese expatriates and business travelers unable to return home within the year.

As this fact was reported by the media on the 1st, criticism has surged that restricting the entry of Japanese nationals is an excessive response.

On the morning of the 2nd, just one day after the controversy arose, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the official residence, "It caused confusion for some people," and "I have instructed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to fully consider the demand for the return of Japanese nationals."

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism notified airlines that it would cancel the request to suspend ticket sales following Prime Minister Kishida's instructions.

At a press conference that day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno explained, "As part of Omicron measures, the daily number of arrivals was to be reduced from a maximum of 5,000 to 3,500, and accordingly, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism requested airlines to suspend new ticket sales in December."

However, he explained that the uniform request to suspend sales was withdrawn following Prime Minister Kishida's instruction to consider the demand for Japanese nationals returning home.

Japanese media reported that the government's measure to suspend airline ticket sales, which was presented as a quarantine strengthening measure to block the influx of Omicron, was seen as an excessive response and was revoked within three days.