Japan tighten border controls to counter virus surge

Japan will tighten its border controls for visitors from China beginning December 30 in response to a surge in coronavirus infections, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Tuesday.

Kishida said COVID-19 tests will be mandatory for all travelers from mainland China, including those who have been there within seven days of arrival in Japan. Kishida also announced a cap on the number of flights between Japan and China.

The measure is to “prevent the influx of the virus in Japan” and not intended to stop the movement of the people, he added. Japan has stopped requiring COVID-19 tests for visitors who had three vaccine doses.