Simon comments

The proof is in the pudding so to speak. Masks or at least what the Japanese consider as facemasks are ineffective against Omicron BA.5. The proof is the recent surge of infections in Japan (highest surge in the world). Why keep doing the same thing and expecting different result? Thats the definition of insanity.

I am triple vaxxed with Pfizer and still caught Omicron BA.5 and was sick for 8-9 days. I weirdly the so-called new and improved vaccines due for Fall do NOT target Omicron BA.5 (which accounts for 90% of cases worldwide) so what's the point? The antibodies are match for original Wuhan variant + original Omicron so they will NOT stop you from getting infected. I am grateful for the original vaccine which did save lot of lives but at this point it is completely pointless until they figure out a way to target other parts of the virus (apart from spike protein which continues to mutate). Omicron BA.5 has specifically mutated to evade antibodies generated from vaccine and even previous infection so honestly there is absolutely no need to get the shot again and again it's absolutely pointless. Also the mask hysteria unless you are wearing FFP2/N95 you are not doing much to stop BA.5 as it is as virulent as a virus gets. The proof is Japan itself despite universal mask wearing it suffered some of the highest infection rates anywhere in the world during BA.5 wave so either we learn and adapt or repeat the same mistake and hope for different result (which is btw the definition of insanity according to Einstein).

@Strangerland Yeah thats exactly what Im saying because we depends so so much on Japanese tourists or we can whine here at nauseam why foreigners are being treated this way by JGov. This is has nothing to do with ideology. Its quite rational and measured tit for tat approach that will push the the lame politicians to start walking the walk.

This nonsense would end in a heartbeat if we in the civilized West cancel visa-free travel for the Japanese. They are literally having their cake and eating it at the same time. The JGov is discriminating against foreigners because we let them and they will continue to screw us until we stand up to them.

I have to admit I was a little cynical about the ubiquitous mask wearing in Japan especially the outdoors but now I see the point. Here in UK where no one cares and even those with known COVID go out maskless there is such high viral load in circulation that those who do care and wear mask fall victim. Its utterly irresponsible to tell people its ok to go out in public even if you know you are infected. At least in Japan people have the decency of not knowingly go out and spread disease.

I followed all common sense and medical advise and suggestions. Kept away from crowds, avoided indoor spaces as much as possible and yes obsessively washed my hands and even wiped off groceries and packages and I still caught it. Im just saying the virus is going to get us all and people respond differently to it. Some have no symptoms and some despite having no known comorbidity get it pretty bad like myself. I understand why Japanese government is being cautious as this virus is still unpredictable. I have no idea what will happen this Winter maybe we wont see new variant or maybe we will but all Im saying is the current vaccine needs updating and needs to be much more effective at reducing symptoms. I think it is premature to declare pandemic over. There are more surprises to come.

I followed all the guidelines meticulously: wore FFP2/N95 mask everywhere (including outdoors), avoided crowded indoor places like restaurants and bars, no public transport since early 2020, washed and sanitized my hands so much I am constantly getting hand blisters and managed not to get COVID for 2.5 years until now. Somehow despite following all the guidelines few days ago I caught Omicron. And yes I am vaccinated and boosted with Pfizer. Its no joke and not a walk in the park. This is now day 4 with low grade fever but severe fatigue and aches. I really do not know what more could I have done. The sad reality is this latest version of Omicron (BA.5) is so contagious it will get you eventually no matter what you do. I hope they come up with more effective vaccine or something because the ones we currently have do not stop us from getting pretty sick. I am only 38, healthy and been taking all my vitamins inc D and C and have no preexisting consition.

Numbers continue to go up because people take their masks off at home. We all need to keep the mask on even at home and during sleep to achieve historical victory over COVID.

It could take many years if not decades for Japan to rebuild the goodwill it lost during the "lesser Sakoku of 2020-2*". Every headline every story out of Japan has been negative and/or disappointing over the past few years and I don't see how that'll suddenly change. Tourism IS hospitality not heralded bus tours while being reminded how uncultured and dirty you are as a foreigner. Thanks but NO thanks.

@Joseph

China hasn't fought a modern war in 100 years?

Did you forget Korean War when they poured in Yalu River directly engaging US/UN forces? If it wasn't for Communist China Korea would be united today.

Japan is waiting for China to allow its citizens to travel. For all the buhaha and historical rivalry China and Japan are 99% similar in character and mentality. Hordes of Chinese will feel right at home in Japan right down to the damn masks.

As a lifelong Japanophile it saddens me to see Japan's soft power and image taking such a beating. No doubt Japan can do whatever it wants and noone is questioning it's sovereignty however that is no excuse for throwing foreigners under the bus. Lest we forget even permanent residents were suddenly banned from returning for many months and lives and dreams of so many young students damaged not to mention all the stress and anxiety they were subjected to until very recently. Japan took decades to rebuild it's image after horrors of WW2 yet somehow ruined alot of that goodwill in few years. It's a pity that's all I can say.

@SteveMcCarthy

Holy crap man now you have to worry about monkeypox in addition to Covid. Damn

After what I witnessed over the past 2+ years I will never trust the Japanese again. When the chips are down they will stab you in the back.,.

Just when you think JGov cant get more silly they go ahead and pull this out of the hat. Wow just wow

I'd love to join the bus tours right but I'm currently waiting for my visa to North Korea to come through. I wish Marshal Kim utmost success in destroying devil virus so I can visit glorious country soon

@ Steven Mccarthy

You WILL be infected with COVID sooner or later even if you go about in a hazmat suit. Booooo

In a couple of years we will be reading how extreme fear and restrictions associated with COVID have had lasting implications for kids and younger people. You will hear terms like "social anxiety", "extreme shyness" and "agoraphobia" being used. Yeah COVID is bad but so is isolation and pause in social development and worse of all the anxiety of living in constant fear of catching something (there is a term for it: germophobia). Japan was already one of the most socially awkward societies (Hikkomoti anyone?) sadly you'll be faced with new generation of anxious, fearful and isolationist kids who will be your future politicians...

Please help. I feel afraid too much anxiety to exit home. Can Omicron enter from windows? I closed everything shut off everything but still worry. I m stress.

These entry restrictions have never been about COVID or public health, just politics and tribal BS pure and simple. The real tragedy is by continuing to pander to their inner fears the Japanese government is poisoning its own society far beyond COVID for years to come. They are scapegoating foreigners now (as has been the norm by Japanese politicians for centuries) but in the long term this will only make their own people more fearful, anxious and afraid far after COVID is a distant memory. What goes around comes around...