Corona variant Omikron: Japanese welcome border closure

Since midnight, Japan has closed its borders to foreigners because of the spreading Corona variant Omikron. The leadership of the new Prime Minister Kishida is apparently well received by the people.

There is something of irony about it: Japan closes its borders because of the omicron variant and has to admit on the same day: it itself has the first case in the country. A man from Namibia tested positive for the virus.

The fact that their new head of government, Fumio Kishida, reacted so boldly and made a very quick decision, is well received by many citizens. “That will have economic effects, but it is the right way for us older people in particular,” says a pensioner.

Government supports domestic travel

Of course, it is also the right way to keep voters in line. A hesitant leadership, as you could see from Kishida’s predecessor, the Japanese do not like at all. Even if the borders were basically closed for the past two years and the infections had soared in the summer by the Japanese themselves, a woman told a reporter for the Reuters news agency: “I’m a bit afraid of the new variant. But Now, thanks to the government’s measures, I already feel safe and can then travel across Japan. “

And that too, according to the government’s plans, will soon be back with generous support from the state: At the beginning of the year, the controversial so-called go-to-travel campaign is to be revived, although it had driven the number of infections up a few months ago.

Some criticize isolationism as racism

At the moment, however, Japan is quiet and has hardly recorded any new cases, mainly thanks to its high vaccination rate. Only Japanese and foreigners with long-term stays are currently allowed into the country – and then, depending on their origin, must first be in hotel quarantine and then in house quarantine for three to six days. The vaccination status does not matter.

For all those students and business people who were just looking forward to a small opening in Japan after almost two years, the latest news is a serious setback. In the social media they criticize the renewed isolation, some even speak of racism.