China resumes issuing Japanese visas

TOKYO — China announced it was resuming issuing visas for Japanese travelers beginning Sunday, ending its nearly three-week suspension in an apparent protest of Tokyo’s tougher covid-19 entry requirements for tourists from China.

The decision was announced in a statement posted on the Chinese Embassy’s website.

China stopped issuing new visas in Japan on Jan. 10 in apparent retaliation for Tokyo’s requirement of additional tests for Chinese tourists in late December, ahead of the Lunar New Year. Japan cited soaring infections in China after it abruptly eased coronavirus restrictions as well as scarce covid-19 data from Beijing.

Japan reopened its borders for individual tourists in October, allowing travelers with proof of vaccination instead of testing at airports unless they show symptoms. But on Dec. 30, Japan required all travelers from China to show pre-departure negative tests and take an additional test upon arrival.

In early January, China also stopped issuing visas to South Koreans after South Korea did the same for short-term travelers from China.