Early on the morning of December 18th, the Japanese government announced that it would extend a current ban on the entry of non-residents foreigners, the Yomiuri reports [1]. The current generalized ban, affecting non-resident citizens of all foreign countries, is presently set to last to the end of the year; in the face of the clear-and-present spread of the Omicron strain of COVID-19, however, the Japanese government now looks to extend the ban indefinitely. A variety of government sources told the Yomiuri that the length of the extended ban would be based on “cautious probing of the status of the spread of the Omicron variant.”
The extension comes as a perhaps expected, but nonetheless frustrating, blow for those who have been waiting to enter Japan for nearly two years. For family, students, academics, workers, and trainees locked outside of the country, the uncertain waiting game continues to be difficult to bear.
Indeed, following Japan’s alteration of border policies over the past month has been a bit like riding Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland; full of twists and turns, both expected and unexpected, and you’re never quite sure when it’ll all end. First came the long-awaited announcement that Japan would finally begin the process of issuing new visas for students, workers, and trainees after a long year-and-a-half waiting; then came the Omicron variant, an immediate reversal on that decision, and a short-lived announcement of the halting of all sales of tickets to Japan through the end of the year. (This last, unprecedented policy would actually affect Japanese abroad; the resulting protest from Japanese nationals led to the reversal of the policy within 24-hours). The current status quo is a return to that of the past year-and-a-half, with the majority of foreigners barred from the country.
(Although the occasional DJ was able to get through said entry ban.)
Variant Vicissitudes
The initial reverse-course on the easing of border restrictions came on November 30th, hot of the heels of Omicron worries proliferating through the global media space. Despite the clampdown, the variant soon entered Japan; as of the 17th, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare says there have been 50 confirmed cases in the country. The government believes their strict border policies are “holding the spread of infection in check.”
The government also responded to the highly transmissible variant by re-instating tough quarantine measures for returnees. Whereas a three-day sponsored business quarantine had only just been implemented, all returning nationals must now quarantine for 14 days. Daily check-ins via app are required, and no public transport can be taken to quarantine destinations. For those returning from a variety of high-risk areas, a 3-10 days quarantine in government facilities is also mandated. The list of official danger zones changes daily, causing confusion and distress for returning Japanese citizens.
Isolation Nation
Upon arrival in Japan, returnees often disembark at the airport only to wait for seven hours or longer, going through a sustained process of document approval and supervised app installment. For those with mandated government quarantines, an additional hour-plus bus ride lies in store; returnees do not know where they will be sent for their periods in isolation until boarding. However, the government facilities, often located in hotel chains, are free, and offer complimentary meals. Unseen Japan spoke briefly with a Japanese returnee currently in government quarantine.
“It was annoying to wait for such a long time at the airport, not even being told where I was going to stay until I arrived at the hotel. On the other hand, for someone who doesn’t live here in Tokyo, it was actually nice to be able to stay there for free and get three complimetary meals everyday. The room is tiny and there’s no view from the window, but that’s what you get when it’s all free, I guess.”
Increasing Difficulties for Those Locked Out
For our Japanese source currently in quarantine, the strict measures and complex rules can be frustrating. She understands, however, that she’s still lucky enough to actually be able to enter the country.
On the other hand, disappointment, frustration, and even desperation continue to mount for non-nationals locked outside. One such tragic situation is that of Melek Ortabasi, a professor of literature and US-Canadian citizen currently in Japan whose children have not been allowed to enter the country alongside her [2]. Said children were initially to have flown to Japan on December 23rd, but the sudden change in entry regulations has left the family separated by ten thousand miles. Constant attempts to find a solution via the Canadian embassy and Japanese immigration officials have proven ineffectual.
There are many such cases of Japan’s strict border regulations keeping families apart. Hundreds of thousands of students also remain stranded, often paying hefty tuition fees just to take online classes in the wee hours of the morning in their home countries in lieu of the actual Japanese university experience. Life, careers, and education remain on hold for many.
With Omicron now spread around the world, things have only become more uncertain. While booster shots and antivirals offer a good deal of personal hope, systematic entry bans cause a good deal of suffering of their own – even while they strive to keep the citizenry safe.
What to Read Next
The Spanish Flu in Japan and Its Parallels to COVID-19
Sources:
[1]「オミクロン株」水際対策、期限延長へ…外国人の新規入国を原則停止. Yomiuri Shimbun Online.
[2] Borpujari, Priyanka. (12/14/2021.) ‘Dear Japanese government, please let us see our mother.’ TRTWorld.
