Photo/Illutration Travelers wearing face masks ride an escalator at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on Jan. 9 after arriving on a flight from the United States. (AP Photo)

Japan’s foreign minister demanded China lift its suspension of visa issuance to Japanese nationals, a measure that appears to be retaliation against Japan’s tighter COVID-19 border controls.

Yoshimasa Hayashi said early on Jan. 11 that he has lodged a protest with Beijing through diplomatic channels.

“It is quite regrettable that China has restricted visa issuances for reasons other than COVID measures, while Japan’s border controls are aimed at preventing infections with the utmost efforts put into minimizing the impact on travelers,” Hayashi told reporters in Argentina, where he was visiting. “We will respond appropriately depending on how infections spread in China and how much information Beijing is ready to disclose.”

The Chinese Embassy in Japan announced the suspension late on Jan. 10 without specifying the reason.

Infections began to surge in China after Beijing lifted its zero-COVID policies last month. On Dec. 30, Japan started testing all passengers arriving from mainland China via direct flights and those who visited China within seven days before their arrival in Japan.

Since Jan. 8, those arriving from China on direct flights have been  required to show a negative COVID test acquired within 72 hours prior to departure.

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