Japan and US Vegan Delegation to Be Exempted from 14-Day Quarantine... "Thorough COVID-19 Infection Prevention Measures"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government has decided to exempt the delegation led by Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, who will visit Japan on the 9th and 10th following his visit to Korea, from the 14-day quarantine measures for the prevention of COVID-19.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun on the 8th, the Japanese government has decided to grant a special exemption to Biegun's delegation visiting Japan, waiving the 14-day quarantine while strictly adhering to infection prevention measures. Japan, in principle, refuses entry to travelers from 129 countries (regions), and in exceptional cases where entry is allowed, requires PCR testing and a 14-day quarantine.

Biegun is the first high-ranking foreign government official to visit Japan from a country subject to entry refusal since Japan implemented the COVID-19 entry ban in April. After completing his visit to Korea, he is scheduled to meet with Takeo Akiba, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Taro Kono, Minister of Defense, over two days starting on the 9th to exchange views on issues of mutual interest such as the North Korean situation and China’s implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Mainichi reported that when Biegun’s delegation meets with Japanese officials, seating will be arranged to maintain a distance that prevents droplet transmission, and microphones will be used to ensure clear communication even at a distance. Biegun is expected to undergo a PCR test immediately upon arrival in Japan via a private plane with a small entourage, and the number of attendees at meetings held at the Tokyo Ikura Ministry of Foreign Affairs office will be minimized, with Japanese participants also undergoing temperature checks just prior to the meetings.

A senior official from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Mainichi that this case will serve as a "model case" for future visits by foreign government officials to Japan amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Minister Motegi stated at a press conference the previous day that regarding the entry of government officials from countries subject to entry bans, "We will respond on a case-by-case basis while fully considering the risk of infection."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.