Japanese airlines asked to cap arrivals from abroad amid pandemic

As the vaccination disaster unfolds, the J government needs to step up it's finger-pointing game.

Michael MachidaToday 09:16 am JST

Look, I get it with protecting its citizens. But limiting the ammout of internationals comming to Japan is not the way you can achieve anything. You are not limiting it's citizens comming here. I am a citizen of Japan. So I should't mind, you may say. But this makes zero sense. Japanese citizens vs foreign residents / visa holders vs tourists. Right now, tourists can't basically enter. Foreign residents can, but it's bit difficult. But Japanese citizens can enter/leave pretty much same as before. If a Japanese citizen flies to a nearby country today, returns tomorrow, they may meassure his temperature as they want, he may be already infected, but no symptoms yet. And he may start infecting.

But it's easier to blame it on foreigners for bringing it here..

This is not how you do it. This is just pretending to protecting it's citizens by implying that it's foreigners who will bring the virus, not Japanese. If you are serious about protecting the citizens, then ban all arrivals here. Citizens or visa holders or tourist. If you're serious, do it like pre-Perry days.

Ridiculous, right?

They are not making the choice for Japan. They are just doing it so it looks for common folks like they are working hard. But in real, every step our government does is just erratic and the really don't look like they have any clue about near future.

I have travel to Japan scheduled a bit later this year, and I'm fully vaccinated.

So what. It means you are protected from serious illness and death, it doesn’t stop you from getting the virus and passing it on. Until Japan, and elsewhere has most of it’s population vaccinated herd immunity won’t exist.

the_sicilian

Not the greatest idea to schedule any international travel this year. I'm surprised that even 3,400 people are allowed in each week but I assume many are Japanese citizens returning to Japan.

Further softening of the continued blows. “Priority ‘VIP seating only’ for ‘distinguished guests and sponsors’ on JAL and at the venues.”- all at taxpayer’s continued expense.

If pushed enough, they will stop PRs from coming back again. They've done it once and they'll do it again. Then who are they going to blame for bringing the virus?

Ridiculous. People are tested and should be quaratining.

I would not be surprised that Japan will not be allowing Foreigners even till the end of the year 2021.

Japan had failed in it's response to Covid-19 and now is shaking at it's knees.

therougou:

At this point, they shouldn't have left the country to begin with. That was their choice.

Some people have to leave to attend funerals or look after a sick relative who has nobody else. Not all of us travelled for a vacation or even work. I certainly didn't go back home for those reasons.

The U.S. has been open to travelers from all over the world, with some exceptions. Few quarantine and other restrictions exist. Yet, there is no indication that travelers are causing infections in the U.S.

The evidence is clear by now. COVID spreads through prolonged, close, social interaction. For example, homes, bars, etc. Japan's spread is via the community, not travelers.

I am inclined to agree with other posters- the government seems to be deflecting attention away from the slow rollout of the vaccine. Blame the d*mn foreigners, because it is easy to do.

Japan can do whatever it wants to protect its citizens. Like limiting the amount of internationals coming to Japan. Being honest about the pandemic. Telling the truth about the amount of people with COVID. Honestly keeping the price of the vaccine down. Not delivering fake news to the people of Japan. And the list goes on. Yes. Japan. They can do whatever they want. Being honest Government Officials is a choice. And if they choose not to make an honest choice, it's the choice that they made for Japan. Honesty. It's Japan's choice.

My sarcasm did not come across well. Sorry!

I’m out of Japan later this month and will be back in Japan in around 2-3 months.

There are hoops to go through but everything is possible.

vaccinated people are superspreaders, because they forego precautions but can still infect others.

Also, new research suggests vaccines last 6-12 months, so you need a new one later this year.

Also, not all vaccines work on all strains.

False: The science of whether or not fully vaccinated can or cannot spread the virus on any level is not clear.

False: There is no evidence that you WILL need a new booster later this year. It might be possible, but at this time no evidence suggests this.

False: At the current time, all vaccines are effective against all variants tested in the United States, at least for now. The UK vaccine shows marginal ability to counter-act the S. African variant, but that vaccine is not approved for use in much of the world.

This is nothing more than (more) anti-vax dis-information.

Not sure why this is an issue. If the government simply says they will not admit anyone through immigration, it doesn't matter how many people the airlines bring - they will all have to go back.

And you don't think them all having to go back is an issue?

ebisenToday 11:31 am JST

''I'm really surprised at the amount of bashing Japan gets here. I have a small proposal. Every basher should also specify the number of deaths in their own country.''

You really want to go there? O.K.

I really disagree with almost everything about Japan's policies...too slow...no real action...head in the sand. This is a small step, but comes way too late. -Australia-909 deaths/ 7 day average of new cases 13/ Life back to a cautious normal in most of the country.

@Robert Cikki

Foreign residents can, but it's bit difficult. But Japanese citizens can enter/leave pretty much same as before. If a Japanese citizen flies to a nearby country today, returns tomorrow, they may meassure his temperature as they want, he may be already infected, but no symptoms yet. And he may start infecting.

You exactly wrote the same yesterday.

And this is no true. Inform yourself

Border measures, PCR tests, quarantine are exactly the same now for Japanese citizens and foreign residents.

Stop spreading false information

didou:

Border measures, PCR tests, quarantine are exactly the same now for Japanese citizens and foreign residents.

I have no idea what the protocols are now, but when I last travelled, Japanese only faced restrictions and conditions if they were returning from UK or ZA. Absolutely crazy and wreckless that there was a short period during which UK citizens had to take a test prior to boarding before sharing the same space as Japanese from the UK who had NO testing.

So, now, do ALL Japanese from all other countries take a test before boarding a plane back to Japan? Using 'logic', I would have to assume so because all other foreigners on the plane will have taken a test.

reckless:

Good for you. I am spending 2 months with my sick father in the US.

I wish your father well. I can well understand because I had a similar reason to go back home. And it also meant I didn't really go out much.

When there's a pandemic and your population isn't vaccinated against it, this is good policy.

Racism? Really. Calling things you don't like racist is dishonest. Deplorable ... oh ... sorry - I should call it racist.

I wish they could just block people that go back for work or vacation, but I guess that'd be hard to prove.

You can’t leave England for leisure purposes. You have to fill in a form before departure stating your necessary reason for leaving the country. Airlines can refuse to fly you if you don’t have the form and you can be fined trying to leave the country without good reason. It was brought in stop people going away for Easter as some European countries have opened their borders to vaccinated UK tourists, but you can still catch the.virus and bring a variant back with you.

@gd Tokyo. Drug company people will agree with you, others not.

@reckless and Kuri

i wish you well, and come back safe. I suspect you may be stuck outside Japan though.

I enjoy your posts, so even if you can’t come back quickly, keep posting from outside Japan. Nice to know what the outside world is like...I’m stuck in Japan...

I have travel to Japan scheduled a bit later this year, and I'm fully vaccinated. When will Japan (and other countries) figure out how to let those of us that got the shots to travel again?

＠Pukey2Today 01:29 pm JST

o, now, do ALL Japanese from all other countries take a test before boarding a plane back to Japan?

That is what I have heard, and it is clearly mentioned in the Health Ministry website, questions 1&2

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/covid19_qa_kanrenkigyou_00001.html

Q2　対象範囲について

問１ 日本人も対象になるのですか。

国籍問わず全ての入国者が対象です。

And you don't think them all having to go back is an issue?

Not our issue! If they don't check the rules before coming, whose fault is that?

So I'll add to what I said. Yes, I'm vaccinated. But of course the assumption on here by the usual suspects, is that I will not wear a mask, etc... Of course I wear a mask, keep my distance, wash my hands, and absolutely get tested before every flight I take. And that's the key: You take the precautions, get vaccinated, and test prior to travel. Now, if all of that is done, you should be allowed to travel. Hell, even throw in a test on arrival.

Seems reasonable to me.

and I'm fully vaccinated

@luddite is correct.

vaccinated people are superspreaders, because they forego precautions but can still infect others.

Also, new research suggests vaccines last 6-12 months, so you need a new one later this year.

Also, not all vaccines work on all strains.

Sad news, stay home and be safe.

@Pukey2

Good point. I wish they could just block people that go back for work or vacation, but I guess that'd be hard to prove.

Please ask ANA too, to stop all flights to and from China and other Countries until after the Pandemic.

Encourage more local testing and internal travel, but block all International mingling.

Yes, I'm vaccinated....Of course I wear a mask

I won't.

Not sure why this is an issue. If the government simply says they will not admit anyone through immigration, it doesn't matter how many people the airlines bring - they will all have to go back.

70,000 athletes and staff for the Olympic games?

What? Total athletes and coaching staff are about 20K based on recent summer Olympic counts. The US with the largest number send 554 athletes - total was 11,237.

Rio had 306 events across 28 sports. I couldn't find the number of coaches, sorry.

All the others are local volunteers, computer/networking, TV and reporters. When no spectators are allowed, most of the locals won't be needed.

NBC sent 115 on-air people to the last Olympics. I don't know if foreign camera operators or producers are brought in or not. There is a bunch of drones providing coverage these days.

And who can forget the camera man who outran the racers with a 4K camera on his shoulder the entire way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P20XVEH7-SY

In 2015, Usain Bolt lost to a camera man on a scooter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/athletics/34077210 after winning gold.

/s

If pushed enough, they will stop PRs from coming back again. They've done it once and they'll do it again. Then who are they going to blame for bringing the virus?

At this point, they shouldn't have left the country to begin with. That was their choice.

Japan can do whatever it wants to protect its citizens. Like limiting the amount of internationals coming to Japan. Being honest about the pandemic. Telling the truth about the amount of people with COVID. Honestly keeping the price of the vaccine down. Not delivering fake news to the people of Japan. And the list goes on. Yes. Japan. They can do whatever they want. Being honest Government Officials is a choice. And if they choose not to make an honest choice, it's the choice that they made for Japan. Honesty. It's Japan's choice.