Japan Today Get your ticket to GaijinPot Expo 2024
national

Japan confirms 1st case of Omicron XE variant in airport arrival

59 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

59 Comments
Login to comment

Promoting additional vaccines?

These vaccines actually overturning the benefits making our immunity even weaker than when we were without first vaccine.

Anyone who will take more and more vaccines will be at more risk getting caught with normal flu. We will all be sick every winter due to the vaccines.

There is absolutely no scientific evidence to back this up.

14 ( +40 / -26 )

The woman has received two shots of vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc., but she tested positive on arrival for the virus.

No need to mention that she received two shots of the vaccine.

The whole world knows already that the vaccine do not protect you to get infected.

Except some people who close their eyes to the reality.

32 ( +48 / -16 )

Not news !

7 ( +19 / -12 )

They came up with a new name XE version! Let me guess around the corner is a new improved 'booster' to fight XE. Meanwhile all the silly games are stopping us travelling overseas and visiting our elderly relatives.

14 ( +32 / -18 )

They didn't specify her nationality because she's obviously Japanese.

27 ( +45 / -18 )

There is no need to be overly afraid at the moment," Motomura said. "

Just by using the word "afraid" you are going to make people scared! I highly doubt he used the Japanese word for afraid, and used the word worried or concerned.

In cases like this translators should take extreme care on the words they use.

23 ( +28 / -5 )

They didn't specify her nationality because she's obviously Japanese.

I thought that, also. They're so damn predictable, aren't they.

12 ( +28 / -16 )

All I'm thinking is that the mere fact that it was discovered at the airport means that the screening (somehow) works, imagine discovering an outbreak in a major city. We're in our 3rd year into this and it's not as alarming as it was compared to 2020 where you would actually fear for your life.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

We're in our 3rd year into this and it's not as alarming as it was compared to 2020 where you would actually fear for your life.

Exactly. When the virus was first around, we didn't know anything, and we acted accordingly. As we've gained more information, specifically how to fight the virus and protect against its harsh effects, we have adjusted accordingly.

Some people are still bleating the same sheeple arguments they were in April 2020.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

The Women who is not from America has arrived back to her own country has contracted a new variant. I hope The Women is fine.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

They didn't specify her nationality because she's obviously Japanese.

They said she was Japanese on the news this morning though they probably did it with much hesitation. I guess they are trying to keep the big bad foreign tourists away.

17 ( +30 / -13 )

I guess they are trying to keep the big bad foreign tourists away.

If you have been paying attention to the news regarding tourists, you would not have had to make this comment!

-15 ( +4 / -19 )

They didn't specify her nationality because she's obviously Japanese.

I thought that, also. They're so damn predictable, aren't they.

Yup. That's how all the new variants will come to Japan. Not from foreigners, but from Japanese returning from overseas.

5 ( +25 / -20 )

This isn't news... there will be alot of varients forever more. There is no concern with this, it's just flaming fears.

15 ( +22 / -7 )

New strains are not necessarily a problem. Get jabbed as recommended, take whatever precuations you feel are necessary for your health status, and get on with life.

News does tend towards melodrama and sensationalism. Most of Europe and North America has opened up again and is functioning normally. Parts of Asia are still locking themselves away with border blocks. It's the same virus globally, and strains dominate globally. Different government responses are more to do with politics than science.

6 ( +15 / -9 )

There is no need to be overly afraid at the moment,".

I’m certainly not!!

3 ( +13 / -10 )

Jab one, two, three and lining up for their fourth and still no prevention from infection or transmission. Subservience and gullibility abounds.

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

Larr FlintToday  08:43 am JST

Arrival quotas should be revised or borders should be close again!

News flash, borders were never closed in Japan.

The Japanese could travel where and when they wanted during this entire pandemic, the only thing that may have stopped them was the other country's rules.

The Japanese government hasn't stopped Japanese nationals from traveling and by law they can't.

It is obvious by the tiptoeing around the subject that this person is Japanese.

So great the government will close the borders to us the Foreigners what will the do?

-12 ( +10 / -22 )

Time to save economy and people at the same time.

Another stimulus.

Another jab.

Another quasi rules.

Another ban on travelers.

That is the new economy.

-4 ( +11 / -15 )

It was only a matter of time before the newest variant appeared. There is no escaping Corona. Most countries have realised this and are dealing with it rather than attempting to block it.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

I am strong supporter of vaccines I have had my 3 but unless the laws require or it will affect my ability to travel to see my family and return if one day I chose to, I am not sure I will go for a 4th or 5th booster.

My 83 year old parents had their 4th 6 months after the 3rd now it is 4 month later and they are getting their 4th shot (2nd booster).

To me this is like getting my yearly influenza vaccine and despite this year's and last year's influenza variant being different I am getting the same vaccine as 4 years ago for a totally different variant!

I have to think on this, once or if the come out with a booster that is new and for the latest variants then I am ready no problem.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

So now you are stopped and testing for a virus (with no symptoms),

to promote vaccines for a (virus with no symptoms.)

Drumming up paranoia, for a (virus with no symptoms),

so you won't be able to enjoy your life, because you have no symptoms

and may be "contaminated".

Say it with me people,

Sod. Off.

1 ( +12 / -11 )

Details on its severity rate are unknown because its nothing to worry about.

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

@Antiquesaving

Foreign tourists are shut out, however, Japanese are allowed to travel anywhere that will accept them.

Japanese who are susceptible will contract the virus and bring it back home with them.

This is a double edged sword.

There is no way to get around this.

Even Shanghai having evoked a zero Covid mandate cannot stop its spread.

Accept the inevitable.

We are stuck with Covid.

Mars anyone?

2 ( +12 / -10 )

"She was treated at a facility for infected individuals before being released once her quarantine period ended."

Time to ban Japanese from coming in, I guess. Or wait... no? Would this situation have been any different had it been a foreigner? Not at all, save they would have not even been allowed to come here if not Japanese. Ergo, racist.

-13 ( +11 / -24 )

AntiqueSaving -

That's not entirely correct to say Japanese could travel anywhere they wanted during this entire pandemic.

Some countries blocked traveler's from Japan .

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

Time to come up with a better vaccine, perhaps?

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Kyo wa heiwa dayo neToday  09:40 am JST

AntiqueSaving -

That's not entirely correct to say Japanese could travel anywhere they wanted during this entire pandemic.

Some countries blocked traveler's from Japan

Yeah what do you think I meant by?:

the only thing that may have stopped them was the other country's rules.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Hummmmmmmmmm BA.1 and BA.2 then XE!? why not BA.3??

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Covid is NOT some common cold. Not some minor case of the flu . But for Covid, most obese , never exercising, eating unhealthy foods. Just old or shame on them for being born say childhood diabetes, or developed cancer , well they’re just fat, lazy, couch potatoes whose only exercise is lifting their junk food to their mouth. And what terrible children they were being born with a serious health problem. It’s A okay that Covid kills them off. Less strain on the healthcare system and massive savings for the insurance companies. Who thinks this way ? Holier than thou art? Everyone gets old . Victim shaming ? Some y’all … need to get a grip. But for Covid. These people you find expendable would be alive .

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

We must continue implementing basic measures to prevent infections, such as promoting additional vaccinations."

Sure bro! Because vaccinating most of the eligible population has helped heaps in curbing infections.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

This country needs to bite the bullet and lock down.

-21 ( +2 / -23 )

Antiquesaving -

Thats precisely my point your statement is redundant.

They can travel anywhere but cant travel anywhere.

Yup !

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

painkillerToday  11:12 am JST

This country needs to bite the bullet and lock down.

Yeah sure like that worked everywhere else that tried it.

Oh wait it didn't! Oh I know let's use NZ and Australia as usual it worked in those places, right? Nope Australia still ended up with a higher per capita death rate than Japan.

Welcome to the new reality the only way a lockdown would work is if a country or place never ever ends the lockdown because as soon as you end the lockdown the virus returns and the lockdown returns.

And Australia and New Zealand are the perfect examples lockdown, open up virus again, lockdown, open up, virus again rinse repeat.

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.= Insanity.

And this is why nearly every country has now ruled out returning to lockdowns! They don't work.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Kyo wa heiwa dayo neToday  11:47 am JST

Antiquesaving -

Thats precisely my point your statement is redundant.

Nice try.

Go read what you wrote, you were not trying to say that.

You missed what I wrote but unwilling to admit it.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This country needs to bite the bullet and lock down.

Go to the conbini, get yourself a 6 month supply of cup noodles and a big box of tissues and go ahead, nobody is stopping you from locking yourself down.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

No worries about these variants. We have infinite numbers and letter combinations to name them.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The leftist and globalist are not going to stop pushing the fear about different variants, until we are all lockdowned and

Why do some people always want to make everything the left vs the right, conservatives vs liberals? Yadah yadah yadah, something something, I won't ever believe in (fill in the blank) __ because I'm not a (choose) liberal/conservative.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

BA.1 and BA.2 then XE!? why not BA.3?

Because there are already omicron XD, XF and such. It’s a crossed variant, the X stands for, Delta and omicron mixed, not like the purer subvariants omicron BA.

But of course we can also build a more funny theory where as we all know the Xi was omitted because of the Chinese leader’s name , but with this simple trick and not spoken axe-eeh, it might almost sound like Xi now. lol

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why do so many people ignore the fact the a vaccination will not prevent you from getting Covid but will greatly reduce your symptoms. Like this woman who had no symptoms.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Testing more at arrivals in the airports helps the government narrative that the problem is foreigners and it should keep the borders closed.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

 Kazushi Motomura, director of the public health department at the Osaka Institute of Public Health.

"There is no need to be overly afraid at the moment," Motomura said. "We must continue implementing basic measures to prevent infections, such as promoting additional vaccinations."

Safety precautions in English

https://corona.go.jp/en/

Vaccination web site,

https://v-sys.mhlw.go.jp/en/

日本語

https://corona.go.jp/

https://v-sys.mhlw.go.jp/

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Wonder when the next SOE is going to come..not like they worked at all anyhow..

Just coincidence?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is proof that Covid has now evolved into an influenza/ common cold level of virus. She showed no symptoms. Time for Japan to open up to the fully vaccinated.

The vaccination programme gives us some levels of diffusing the severity. Omicron might be contagious but it's like catching a mild cold.

Covid is not going anywhere but it's now a common virus. Time for the world to open up to those who are vaccinated.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This is proof that Covid has now evolved into an influenza/ common cold level of virus. She showed no symptoms.

It was like that from the start.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Frank Ellis -

By the way all swords are double edged.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Antiquesaving -

Its redundant to say they cant travel anywhere after previously saying they can.

Your dithering but choose not to admit it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It’s all getting rather tiresome. Let’s just get on with our lives and hope a nasty variant doesn’t appear. I’ve lived my life almost the same as before during the whole pandemic, had a great time actually.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

On the XE variant...

“To make it a simple answer: if you’re vaccinated and otherwise healthy, you shouldn’t worry about it,” says Dr. Andrew Badley, a professor of infectious disease at the Mayo Clinic

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites