Like many countries, Japan closed its borders in early 2020 to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike other immigration policies around the world, the #JapanTravelBan barred permanent residents (including those with Japanese spouses and children) and other people with valid visas from entering or re-entering Japan.

Unfortunately, after slightly relaxing entry restrictions throughout the late summer and early autumn, the Japanese government slammed the door on foreigners again in the final days of 2020. It blamed them for importation of a new coronavirus variant from abroad, in spite of the fact that only Japanese nationals had tested positive for it. This is completely unacceptable for any civilized country, certainly one that aims to host the Olympics in seven months’ time.