Japan explains Korean quarantine at hotel 340km from airport due to "facility shortage"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government is facing controversy for quarantining Koreans arriving in Japan at hotels located hundreds of kilometers away from the arrival airports.

It has been reported that Koreans arriving at Narita International Airport in the metropolitan area were quarantined at hotels near Chubu Airport.

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare responded by saying, "This is because there is a severe shortage of national facilities near Narita Airport."

An official in charge of quarantine operations related to preventing the spread of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron said, "This measure was not applied to all flights from Korea but limited to certain flights."

However, when asked whether there have been cases where arrivals from countries or regions other than Korea, arriving at Narita Airport, were designated to quarantine for six days at hotels near Chubu Airport, the official replied, "The quarantine location is decided according to the situation at the time." When further asked about similar cases, the official declined to comment.

Mr. A, a Korean who departed from Incheon Airport and arrived at Narita Airport on the 3rd, was quarantined at a hotel near Chubu Airport in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, approximately 340 km away in a straight line.

He must spend the first six days of the total 14-day quarantine at this hotel.

After arriving in Japan, Mr. A underwent COVID-19 testing, waiting, and domestic flight transfers, resulting in about 10 hours passing from his departure from Incheon Airport until he reached the accommodation.

The Japanese government banned new entries of foreigners worldwide starting from the 30th of last month to prevent the influx of the Omicron variant.

However, exceptions are made for mid- to long-term residents such as Korean company expatriates and their families who have obtained re-entry permits and temporarily left Japan, allowing them to return to their residence in Japan.