Coronavirus: Japan’s travel restrictions for China, South Korea kick in

Japan implemented tougher border control measures on Monday for travellers from China and South Korea, effectively banning tourists from the two countries through the end of this month as part of measures to prevent a surge in coronavirus infections.

Nearly 3 million visas already issued to Chinese and South Korean nationals, also including to residents of Hong Kong and Macau, were invalidated. The step, however, will not invalidate the periods of stay of people from the two countries already in Japan.

The travel restrictions came as Japan steps up efforts to contain the spread of the virus with less than five months to go to the Tokyo Olympics. But they will likely deal a blow to Japan’s economy as visitors from China and South Korea account for about half of all tourists to the country.

South Korea, angered by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s sudden announcement late last week of the travel curbs, began taking reciprocal measures on Monday against Japan as ties between the two countries, already frayed over wartime issues, came under new stress.