
Japan has stopped accepting new foreign arrivals over concerns about the spread of the omicron variant around the world.
At Narita Airport near Tokyo, a plane arriving from the Philippine capital Manila was the first international flight of the day. There were no foreign nationals on board the plane, which landed before noon.
The situation was similar at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. One traveler whose plane had just landed at the airport said there were no foreigners on board.
On November 8, Japan reopened its borders to business travelers, students, and technical interns under certain conditions. But only three weeks later, the measures have been suspended.
At a meeting of his party's officials on Tuesday, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said that the suspension of new foreign arrivals is a temporary measure.
He said Japan is still in the midst of the coronavirus crisis and needs to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
At Narita Airport near Tokyo, a plane arriving from the Philippine capital Manila was the first international flight of the day. There were no foreign nationals on board the plane, which landed before noon.
The situation was similar at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. One traveler whose plane had just landed at the airport said there were no foreigners on board.
On November 8, Japan reopened its borders to business travelers, students, and technical interns under certain conditions. But only three weeks later, the measures have been suspended.
At a meeting of his party's officials on Tuesday, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said that the suspension of new foreign arrivals is a temporary measure.
He said Japan is still in the midst of the coronavirus crisis and needs to prepare for the worst-case scenario.