The Chinese authorities have temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Japanese nationals, and the impact is spreading domestically as well.
It is seen as a countermeasure against the strengthening of border measures by the Japanese government, and the Chinese side emphasized that it was an equal response.
The Japanese government, which does not restrict the issuance of visas for Chinese visitors to Japan, is protesting against these measures.
We have summarized the background of the suspension of visa issuance and the impact on the country.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ``Lawful and reasonable measures''
The Chinese embassy in Tokyo has temporarily suspended issuing visas to Japanese visitors to China on Monday, as the Japanese government tightens border controls on the novel coronavirus for those entering from mainland China. Announced.
In response to this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on the 11th, "We responded equally based on the situation in which relevant countries have taken discriminatory measures against China."
“It is a legitimate and reasonable measure to protect the legitimate rights of the people and the environment necessary for normal travel and cooperation between countries,” he said.
Spokesperson Wang did not answer when asked, "Japan does not restrict the issuance of visas for Chinese visitors, and China's measures may lack equality."
He also only said that he had "already responded" to the question, "The United States is also taking border measures, but are they not taking equal measures?"
“We have already taken care of those who need to come to China for diplomatic or urgent business reasons,” Wang said. .
Japanese embassy ``lack of equality''
The Japanese embassy in China posted on its official Twitter account, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has announced that it will take equal measures against immigration restrictions in other countries, but Japan has restricted the issuance of visas for Chinese nationals to Japan. China's method is completely unequal," and asked for the withdrawal of the measures.
Expert "Pressure on Japan"
Ichiro Korogi, a professor at Kanda University of International Studies who is familiar with the situation in China, commented on the temporary suspension of visa issuance by the Chinese authorities, saying, "I think it's pressure because it's a retaliation measure for Japan's strengthening of its border control measures. ' said.
On top of that, ``China wants to abolish border measures in each country. It becomes inconsistent when it is put on," he pointed out.
Regarding China's future actions, he said, "China selectively chose South Korea and Japan this time to take retaliatory measures in order to prevent other countries from moving to strengthen border measures, but in the future, I think we will have to wait and see how other countries will come out," he said.
Travel agency rushed to deal with
In response to the announcement that the Chinese authorities have temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Japanese people, travel agencies that support visa acquisition are busy explaining to customers.
Among them, a travel agency in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, which provides support services for visa application procedures for people traveling to China on business trips and residences, said that the "visa application center" set up by the Chinese authorities on the 10th. When I tried to make a reservation for the procedure for the application on the homepage, it was not accepted.
In addition, one of the customers who visited the "visa application center" in Tokyo based on an advance reservation was informed that "the counter cannot accept it."
Around the same time, I heard that a company headquartered in China sent me an email saying, "I can't apply for a visa, and it's undecided whether I can reopen," but I haven't heard anything from the Chinese authorities. am.
When applying for a Chinese visa, it is necessary to register fingerprints at a "visa application center" or the like. It means that they are being chased to respond, such as contacting
Hayato Moritani, assistant manager of a travel agency, said, "The movement of people who had decreased due to the corona crisis was gradually returning, and the number of trips for business purposes was increasing. It will have a big impact," he said.
Voices of Concern at the Airport
On the other hand, passengers heading to China from Narita Airport voiced concerns and voiced requests for improvements.
A Japanese male office worker who returned to Shanghai, where he was stationed, said, "I don't have a bad image of China, so I feel sad that we are in this situation. In the future. , I wish I could come and go freely."
Another Japanese male office worker said, ``If new employees cannot come, it will affect business, and it will be impossible to invite family members. I hope that there will be no resurgence of quarantine measures for immigrants in China."
Universities where study abroad resumes
There are also voices of concern from domestic universities about studying in China.
Matsuyama University has partnered with three universities in Shanghai to conduct exchanges with China, and before the spread of the new corona infection, many students were dispatched to short-term and long-term study abroad.
After the corona crisis, I had to stop studying abroad, but this year I will resume studying in China for the first time in three years. .
However, following the announcement that Chinese authorities have stopped issuing visas to Japanese citizens, universities are increasingly concerned that they may have to give up on studying in China.
Shizuko Yoshino, a staff member of Matsuyama University's International Center Division, said, "It's a shame because I thought that the coronavirus measures would be eased and I would be able to resume my study abroad soon. I wanted my students to see the current Shanghai. I feel sorry for the students if I can't study abroad."
Is the impact on businesses limited?
Many companies believe that the impact of the suspension of visa issuance will be limited so far.
However, if the suspension is prolonged, it may affect the assignment of expatriates.
Since the corona crisis, major Japanese companies have already canceled or reduced business trips to China in principle.
Especially during this time of the Chinese New Year, which is the Lunar New Year, many companies do not have business trip plans in the first place, and many companies believe that the impact of the suspension of visa issuance will be limited so far.
On the other hand, if the suspension is prolonged, there is concern about the impact on the assignment of expatriates.
According to a summary by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of "Japanese residents", including expatriates staying in China for more than three months, their families, and international students, is about 116,000 in the first year of Reiwa before the corona disaster. As of October last year, the number was about 102,000, and it seems that many companies have maintained a system of expatriates.
For this reason, each company is closely monitoring the situation, as it may have an impact if the suspension is prolonged toward the end of the fiscal year, when expatriates are replaced and assigned to new posts.
Border measures in the United States and European countries
In response to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus infection in China, there are a series of moves overseas to strengthen border measures.
In South Korea, for those entering from China, PCR tests are required before and after entering the country until the end of next month, and the issuance of short-term visas will be restricted until the end of this month.
In addition, Taiwan has taken measures to require PCR tests for passengers arriving in Taiwan on direct flights from China from the 1st to the 31st of this month.
In the United States, passengers over the age of two arriving by air from China are required to present a negative test within two days before departure from the 5th of this month.
The movement is spreading in European countries, and the British government requires passengers entering the UK from China on direct flights to present a negative proof of a test taken within two days before departure.
The British government pointed out the lack of information, such as the lack of comprehensive health information from China, as the reason for strengthening measures. On the 9th, he announced that he would arbitrarily conduct a PCR test and collect samples.
In addition, on the 4th, the EU = European Union took preventive measures, such as strongly recommending that each member country require all travelers from China to prove negative in the test taken within 2 days before departure. I agreed to take
Prior to this, France required all passengers entering France by air from China to present proof of a negative test taken within two days before departure, even if they arrived via another country. increase.
Germany and Sweden also require testing.
In addition, Morocco in North Africa has banned entry of travelers from China regardless of nationality.