People’s Daily Online, Tokyo, February 18 (Li Muhang) According to reports from NHK and other media, the Japanese government announced on the 16th that it will gradually relax the entry policy from March, and the maximum number of people entering the country will increase from the current 3,500 per day to 5,000.
In addition to increasing the number of entries in the new entry policy, the quarantine period is planned to be shortened to 3 days for those entering from low-risk countries and regions. Those who meet the conditions of completing the third dose of vaccination and negative nucleic acid test do not need to be quarantined and observed after entering the country. Those entering from high-risk countries and regions are still required to undergo a 7-day quarantine observation at designated locations.
Due to the spread of the mutant strain of Omicron, Japan has suspended the entry of foreigners from all countries and regions in principle since 0:00 on November 30 last year, and Japanese nationals also need to undergo 7-day home quarantine observation after entering the country. Recently, there have been increasing calls from all walks of life in Japan to relax the entry policy. The Japanese government has decided to relax the entry policy in stages in view of the fact that the third dose of vaccination has been carried out on a large scale, and the risk of severe Omicron strain is low.
In addition, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroichi Matsuno stated at a press conference on the 16th that 21 prefectures are currently implementing “key measures to prevent spread”, which were originally planned to be lifted on the 20th, but Hokkaido, Aomori and Ibaraki prefectures 14 other prefectures have applied for extension, and Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Yamagata prefectures have been lifted as scheduled.
Japan Keizai Friends Association: Now we must consider the issue of economic cost recovery
Regarding the Japanese government’s decision to relax the immigration management policy, Kengo Sakurada, representative director of the Japan Economic Friends Association, pointed out on the 16th that the Japanese government’s judgment is too lagging behind, and the epidemic prevention measures have consumed huge financial costs. On the premise of coexistence”, it studies how to recover costs, how to restore business activities, and adjust various economic policies.
Kengo Sakurada, representative director of the Japan Economic Friends Association. (Screenshot of NHK TV video)
Sakurada Kengo said that when it is clear that most of the current new cases are infected with the Omicron strain, the Japanese government should make a rough judgment on various policies based on the trends of other countries. Now the policy adjustment has lagged to a certain extent. In addition, Kengo Sakurada believes that the increase in the number of immigrants is not directly related to the collapse of the medical system, and the Japanese government should lift the movement restrictions on immigrants.Return to Sohu, see more
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