These would be emergency measures to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. The government must make efforts to ensure they are administered properly.
The government has decided on a policy to strengthen quarantine measures for people entering the country from China and South Korea and to have them stay in accommodation facilities for 14 days. Flights arriving from the two countries will be limited to Narita or Kansai airports. Visas already issued will be suspended.
These measures will be implemented from Monday to the end of the month. They are aimed at reducing the number of comings and goings between Japan and the two countries as much as possible.
Cases of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus originating in China have spread in Japan since the beginning of this year. The move is apparently aimed at easing the anxiety of the people by strengthening border control measures.
However, there have already been cases of community-acquired infections in various parts of the country. It is undeniable that it is too late.
The government will decide whether to lift the restrictive measures as planned after examining the situation of infections in Japan, China and South Korea. It is necessary to make calm judgments based on objective data.
There are many issues to be tackled to ensure the smooth implementation of the restrictions. How should facilities to accommodate entrants or necessary personnel be secured? It is hoped that the government will come up with operational details as soon as possible.
Watch for economic impact
There are also concerns about the impact on the Japanese economy. The manufacturing sector, which has a lot of trade with China and South Korea, or the hotel industry, which receives tourists, will see their business performances deteriorate. It is important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, but it is also indispensable to pay attention to its side effects.
Local governments in China such as those of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong Province have also adopted similar restrictive measures on visitors from Japan.
Economic globalization is progressing. If countries respond excessively to infectious diseases and take strict measures to control them, exchanges of people and goods will be disrupted, resulting in economic losses. A situation in which the global economy shrinks must be avoided.
The government should make efforts to communicate with other countries, including China and South Korea, as well as with international organizations to prevent divisions and emotional friction.
The Japanese and Chinese governments announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned state visit to Japan in April will be postponed. The schedule will be adjusted down the road.
This will be the first time for a Chinese president to visit Japan as a state guest since 2008. The two governments have considered it an important opportunity to define future Japan-China relations.
However, preparatory meetings on economic cooperation and other opportunities have been postponed. It can be said that a suitable environment has not yet been prepared.
Although the deterioration of the Japan-China relationship was triggered by the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in 2012, it started to improve in 2018. For the time being, it is important for the two governments to strengthen cooperation in tackling infectious diseases and to maintain the current trend of improving bilateral relations.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 6, 2020)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
