9 out of 10 Japanese Citizens Support Quarantine Measures for Arrivals from China

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] A survey revealed that 89% of Japanese citizens positively evaluate the Japanese government's strengthened COVID-19 quarantine measures targeting arrivals from China.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to major Japanese media on the 22nd, a telephone survey conducted over two days with 1,059 respondents showed that 52% considered the strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from mainland China to be "appropriate," while 37% said "they should be further strengthened." Only 7% of respondents felt that the Japanese government's measures were excessive.

The Japanese government announced that, following China's policy shift on the 26th of last month to end its "zero COVID" approach, it would implement COVID-19 testing for all arrivals from China starting the next day. On the 8th of this month, submission of a negative test certificate was made mandatory.

After these measures were implemented, the Chinese government temporarily suspended the issuance of regular visas to Japanese citizens on the 10th, and the next day, it also suspended the issuance of visas on arrival.

Regarding the Japanese government's announcement this spring to manage COVID-19 like seasonal influenza, 46% were "in favor," and 41% were "against," showing relatively balanced opinions. The opposition rate was higher among the elderly aged 60 and above.

Meanwhile, the approval rating of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida rose by 2 percentage points from the previous survey to 27%. The disapproval rate fell by 3 percentage points to 66%. In a public opinion poll released by Jiji Press on the 19th, the Kishida cabinet's approval rating was 26.5%.