Japan closes its doors to Hong Kong visitors

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announces the new requirements. Photo: AP

Japan has cancelled visa-free admission for Hong Kong residents and people from Macau as part of sweeping anti-coronavirus restrictions that will also keep out mainland Chinese and Korean visitors.



The decision, announced on Thursday, is due to come into effect from Monday and last at least for the rest of the month. It's forced many local tour agencies to cancel trips to Japan for the time being.



Holders of Hong Kong passports or Hongkongers with British National (Overseas) documents had previously been able to enter Japan for up to 90 days. Hong Kong people made more than two million visits to Japan in 2018.



From Monday, Japan will quarantine people coming from China and South Korea for two weeks on arrival.



To reduce the amount of inbound travel from the two countries, arrival destinations for aircraft will be limited to two airports: Narita in Tokyo and Kansai, near Osaka.



Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the move is aimed at preventing the virus from spreading further.



President Xi Jinping's landmark visit to Japan – originally scheduled for next month – has now been postponed as Beijing and Tokyo battle the outbreak.