Japan
China halts visas for Japan, South Korea in COVID-19 spat
Chinese embassies suspended issuing new visas for South Koreans and Japanese on Tuesday in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 testing requirements recently imposed by those countries on travelers from China.
The embassies in Tokyo and Seoul announced the suspensions in brief online notices.
The Seoul notice, posted on the embassy's WeChat social media account, said the ban would continue until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory entry measures” against China. The announcement covered tourist, business and some other visas.
China's Foreign Ministry threatened countermeasures last week against countries that had announced new virus testing requirements for travelers from China. At least 10 in Europe, North America and Asia have done so recently, with officials expressing concern about a lack of information about rapidly spreading virus outbreaks in China.
It wasn’t clear why South Korea and Japan were targeted, and whether the suspensions would be expanded to other countries that have imposed virus testing on passengers from China.
China's embassy in Tokyo said only that visa issuance had been suspended. The announcements appeared to apply only to new applicants, with nothing about people currently holding visas.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “our government’s step to strengthen anti-virus measures on passengers arriving from China is based on scientific and objective evidence. We have provided information to the international community in a transparent manner and we have communicated with the Chinese side in advance.”
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said earlier that it would be “regrettable” if restrictions were imposed. The official spoke on customary condition of anonymity.
A withholding of visas from South Korean or Japanese businesspeople could delay a hoped-for revival of commercial activity and potential new investment following China’s abrupt lifting of anti-virus controls last month.
Business groups had warned earlier that global companies were shifting investment plans away from China because it was too hard for foreign executives to visit under the pandemic controls. A handful of foreign auto and other executives have visited China over the past three years, but many companies have relied on Chinese employees or managers already in the country to run their operations.
A South Korean restaurant owner in Beijing said the announcement forced friends to postpone plans to visit China. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern his business might be affected. He added that he is preparing to renew his Chinese work visa and doesn’t know whether that will be affected.
Read more: Is China sharing enough COVID-19 information?
In a phone call on Monday before the visa suspension was announced, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang “expressed concern” about the measures taken by South Korea to his counterpart, Foreign Minister Park Jin. Qin said he “hopes that the South Korean side will uphold an objective and scientific attitude."
China's move appeared to be grounded in its demands that its citizens be treated the same as those of other countries. About a dozen countries have followed the U.S. in requiring either a negative test before departing China, a virus test on arrival at the airport, or both.
“Regrettably, a handful of countries, in disregard of science and facts and the reality at home, have insisted on taking discriminatory entry restriction measures targeting China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Tuesday. "China firmly rejected this and took reciprocal measures."
He did not respond directly when asked if new visas had been suspended for South Koreans and Japanese, saying only that he had “made it very clear."
The World Health Organization and several nations have accused China of withholding data on its outbreak. A WHO official said Tuesday that t he agency sees no immediate threat for the European region from China's outbreak, but that more information is needed.
China’s ambassador to Australia said the response of those nations to China’s COVID-19 outbreak hadn’t been proportionate or constructive.
Xiao Qian told reporters in Canberra that China had shifted its strategy late last year from preventing infections to preventing severe cases. He said countries should use a science-based response.
“Entry restrictions, if they’re targeted at China, they’re unnecessary,” the ambassador told reporters.
Once-cordial ties between South Korea and China, its biggest trading partner, soured after Beijing targeted businesses, sports teams and even K-pop groups to protest deployment of an advanced U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea.
China fought on the side of North Korea in the 1950-1953 war and has remained a supporter of the North despite its missile launches and nuclear tests, and has opposed further sanctions against Kim Jong Un's government.
China abruptly reversed its strict pandemic containment requirements last month in response to what it says was the changing nature of the outbreak. That came after three years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing that prompted rare politically tinged protests in the streets in Beijing and other major cities.
The most optimistic forecasts say China’s business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year. But before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in virus cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms.
The decision by Xi's government to end controls that shut down factories and kept millions of people at home will move up the timeline for economic recovery but might disrupt activity this year as businesses scramble to adapt, forecasters say.
Read more: EU, Beijing heading for collision over China’s COVID crisis
China is now facing a surge in cases and hospitalizations in major cities and is bracing for a further spread into less developed areas with the start of the Lunar New Year travel rush, set to accelerate in the coming days. While international flights are still reduced, authorities say they expect domestic rail and air journeys will double over the same period last year.
FM thanks Japan for support in metro rail, other development projects
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has thanked the government of Japan for providing technical and financial support for the implementation of various projects including the metro rail.
Welcoming newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori new Ambassador, Foreign Minister Momen said that Japan is Bangladesh's single largest bilateral development partner and an important country for trade and investment.
Ambassador Kiminori had a courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday morning.
Read more: Bangladesh maintaining good relations with both US, China but it’s challenging: Momen
Bangladesh Ikebana Association delegation meets new Japanese envoy
A delegation of Bangladesh Ikebana Association (BIA) on Sunday met newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori at the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka.
Prof Dr AKM Moazzem Hussain, founder of BIA, led the delegation and explained BIA’s mission, vision and its activities in Bangladesh since 1974.
Life patron and honorary CEO of BIA Masud Karim said Japan is a friendly country of Bangladesh and the two countries have long diplomatic relations.
“Along with Ikebana, we will continue to work to deepen the cultural relations between these two countries in the future,” he said.
President of Bangladesh Ikebana Association Shahinoor Baby said they always seek the cooperation from the Ambassador in all their Ikebana activities in Bangladesh.
The Ambassador said that the Embassy of Japan will always cooperate with the BIA and its activities as much as possible, said a media release.
Bangladesh Ikebana Association held various programmes on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Japan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations in June last year.
UN Security Council welcomes new members; 2 are first-timers
Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland got a formal welcome into the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday, taking the two-year seats they won unopposed in June.
In a tradition that Kazakhstan started in 2018, the five countries’ ambassadors installed their national flags Tuesday alongside those of other members outside the council chambers.
Mozambican Ambassador Pedro Comissário Afonso of Mozambique called it “a historic date” and Swiss Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl said she felt “a deep sense of humility and responsibility” as their countries marked their first-ever terms on U.N.’s most powerful body. Malta joined for a second time, Ecuador a fourth and Japan a record 12th.
China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are permanent, veto-wielding members of the group. Its 10 other members are elected by the 193-nation General Assembly for staggered, two-year terms. They’re allocated by global regions.
Read more:UN Security Council adopts first-ever resolution on Myanmar; China, Russia and India abstain from voting
To many countries, winning a council seat is considered a signature diplomatic accomplishment that can raise a nation’s global profile and afford small countries a bigger voice than they might otherwise have in the major international peace and security issues of the day.
The council deploys peacekeeping missions, can approve sanctions and speaks out — sometimes — on conflicts and flashpoints, while also surveying such thematic issues as terrorism and arms control. While many matters are perennials on the agenda, council members also can use the platform to spotlight emerging concerns or topics of particular interest to them.
Countries often campaign for the council for years. Some 60 nations have never had a seat since the group’s formation in 1946.
Read more: Ambassador Muhith briefs Security Council as Chair of Peacebuilding Commission
The five latest members are replacing India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway. Their terms ended Dec. 31.
The other current two-year members are Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and United Arab Emirates.
Dhaka-Tokyo relations to reach new heights; hopes Shahriar Alam
Highlighting Japan's cooperation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday hoped that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan would reach new heights.
During the meeting with newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Minister thanked the government of Japan for providing technical and financial support for the implementation of the Metrorail project.
Ambassador Iwama sought the cooperation of the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in fulfilling his duties.
Welcoming the new Ambassador of Japan, the State Minister said that Japan is Bangladesh's single largest bilateral development partner and an important country for trade and investment.
Also Read: New Japanese envoy exchanges views on bilateral interests with foreign secretary
During the meeting, both sides cordially exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest, including Japanese development assistance, human resources development, Rohingya repatriation, cooperation in different multilateral fora etc.
The State Minister appreciated Japan’s continued support for repatriation of Rohingyas and expressed hope that Japan would continue to extend its support towards the early repatriation of the Rohingyas for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
State Minister Alam wished Ambassador Iwama successful tenure in Bangladesh and assured him of full cooperation in discharging his duties.
2023 is the 1st year for next 50 years of Dhaka-Tokyo relations: Ambassador Iwama
Newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori has said Japan, as a friend of Bangladesh since its inception, wants to consider possible cooperation and collaboration with all related actors to address challenges that Bangladesh is facing.
“The government of Bangladesh aims to become a developed country by 2041. In order to achieve this goal, Bangladesh is attempting to overcome various challenges such as climate change, health, and education,” he said in a message.
The Japanese envoy said the year 2023 marks the 51st year of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh. In other words, he said, 2023 is the first year for the next 50 years.
Read more: New Japanese Ambassador presents credentials to President
On December 26, he presented credentials to President Md. Abdul Hamid and began his duty as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Bangladesh.
“I feel honored to start undertaking my responsibility as Ambassador in the year of 2022, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh,” he said.
Throughout the year, there must have been moments to look back at progress over the last half century, said the envoy.
Before coming to Bangladesh, the envoy said, he has learned that many Japanese have been involved and worked hard for the development of this country for 50 years as true friends of Bangladesh.
“I have also learned from a number of Japanese people who have close connections with Bangladesh that Bangladeshi people are not only working hard to develop the country but also possess great respect and affiliations for Japan and its nationals,” he said.
Ambassador Kiminori said he is committed to make his best effort to strengthen the friendly relations, following this wonderful suit.
Most people he spoke to prior to his assignment, especially those in the economic field, expressed their interest in Bangladesh's development over the past few years and their motivation to further strengthen relations with Bangladesh.
Read more: Japan is a true friend , trusted partner of Bangladesh since independence: Envoy
In particular, he said, in recent years, many mega projects contributing to the improvement of economic infrastructure are going on under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt initiatives (BIG-B).
‘Given this situation, the importance of Japan, as a major and largest development partner of Bangladesh, has been prospering,” said the envoy.
In addition, Bangladesh’s economy has been steadily growing and the country is to graduate from LDC by 2026.
Due to this rapid economic growth, the envoy said, there are increasing expectations from Japanese business circles to shift their interests from aiding to investing.
“As Ambassador, I would like to contribute to Bangladesh’s further economic growth by listening to and supporting Japanese companies interested in doing business in this country,” he said.
Despite the rising number of Japanese companies and Japanese nationals in Bangladesh, the memory of the terrorist attacks in 2016 remains strong, the Ambassador said.
“It is one of the most important responsibilities of the Embassy to gather and share information on the security situation in Bangladesh,” he said.
Ambassador Kiminori said they are committed to keep providing relevant information in a timely and appropriate manner.
Before arriving in Bangladesh, the envoy has come to know that Bangladesh has a rich culture passed on through many centuries with its Bengali language identity.
“During my tenure, as Ambassador, I am determined to learn the culture and history of Bangladesh and at the same time increase the understanding of Japan in Bangladesh,” he said.
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New Japanese Ambassador presents credentials to President
Newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori on Monday presented his credentials to President Abdul Hamid.
President's press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.
Welcoming the new ambassador of Japan, President Hamid said that Japan is Bangladesh's single largest bilateral development partner and an important country for trade and investment.
The President thanked the Government of Japan for providing technical and financial support for the implementation of the Metrorail project.
Highlighting Japan's cooperation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, the President hoped that trade and investment between Bangladesh and Japan would expand further and bilateral relations would reach new heights during the tenure of the new ambassador.
During the meeting, the new ambassador of Japan sought the cooperation of the President in fulfilling his duties.
He also expressed his confidence to work for the development of the relations between the two countries.
Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen, President's Office Secretary Sahad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, and Press Secretary Joynal Abedin Khan were present on the occasion.
Read more: New French, Omani ambassadors present credentials to President
Heavy snow in Japan leaves 17 dead, dozens injured
Heavy snow in large swaths of Japan has killed 17 and injured more than 90 people and left hundreds of homes without power, disaster management officials said Monday.
Powerful winter fronts have dumped heavy snow in northern regions since last week, stranding hundreds of vehicles on highways, delaying delivery services and causing 11 deaths by Saturday. More snowfall over the Christmas weekend brought the number of dead to 17 and injured to 93 by Monday morning, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Many of them had fallen while removing snow from the roofs or were buried underneath thick piles of snow sliding off rooftops.
Read more: Japan reverts to max nuclear power to tackle energy, climate
Municipal offices in the snow-hit regions urged residents to use caution during snow removal activity and not to work alone.
The disaster management agency said a woman in her 70s was found dead buried underneath a thick pile of rooftop snow that suddenly fell on her in Yamagata prefecture's Nagai City, about 300 kilometers (180 miles) north of Tokyo, where snow piled up higher than 80 centimeters (2.6 feet) Saturday.
In Niigata, known for rice growing, some makers of mochi, or sticky rice cakes that are staple for New Year's celebration meals, said there have been delivery delays and their mochi may not reach their customers in time.
Many parts of northeastern Japan reported three times their average snowfall for the season.
Read more: Heavy rain, wind, snow blows through California into Sierra
Heavy snow knocked down an electric power transmission tower in Japan’s northernmost main island, leaving about 20,000 homes without power on Christmas morning, though electricity was restored in most areas later that day, according to the economy and industry ministry.
Dozens of trains and flights were also suspended in northern Japan through Sunday, but services have since mostly resumed, according to the transportation ministry.
Japan reverts to max nuclear power to tackle energy, climate
Japan on Thursday adopted a new policy promoting greater use of nuclear energy to ensure a stable power supply amid global fuel shortages and to reduce carbon emissions — a major reversal of its phase-out plan since the Fukushima crisis.
The new policy says Japan must maximize the use of existing nuclear reactors by restarting as many of them as possible and prolonging the operating life of old reactors beyond their 60-year limit, and by developing next-generation reactors to replace them.
Anti-nuclear sentiment and safety concerns rose sharply in Japan after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and restart approvals have since come slowly under stricter safety standards. Utility companies have applied for restarts at 27 reactors in the past decade. Seventeen have passed safety checks and only 10 have resumed operations. That was in line with Japan's earlier plan to phase out nuclear energy by 2030.
In a reversal, the new policy says nuclear power provides stable output and serves “an important role as a carbon-free baseload energy source in achieving supply stability and carbon neutrality” and pledges to “sustain use of nuclear power into the future."
The Economy and Industry Ministry has drafted a plan to allow extensions every 10 years for reactors after 30 years of operation, while also permitting utilities to subtract offline periods in calculating reactors’ operational life beyond the current 60-year limit.
The plan was approved on Wednesday by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, Japan's nuclear watchdog, paving the way for the policy to be adopted. New safety inspection rules still need to be compiled into law and approved by Parliament.
Read more: Policy, climate, war make 2022 'pivot year' for clean energy
Most nuclear reactors in Japan are more than 30 years old. Four reactors that have operated for more than 40 years have received permission to operate, and one is currently online.
The policy paper says Japan will also push for the development and construction of “next-generation innovative reactors” with safer features to replace about 20 reactors now set for decommissioning.
Thursday’s adoption of the new policy comes less than four months after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida launched the “GX (Green Transformation) Implementation Council” of outside experts and ministers to “consider all options” to compile a new policy that addresses global fuel shortages amid Russia’s war on Ukraine and seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The council also adopted plans to make renewables Japan's main energy source and further promote hydrogen and ammonia as well as off-shore wind power and other forms of energy to promote decarbonization, supply resilience and economic security.
The regulation authority’s commissioner, Shinichi Yamanaka, told a news conference the new safety rules requiring operational permits every decade after 30 years will be safer than a current one-time 20-year extension option for 40-year-old reactors.
Takeo Kikkawa, an economics professor at the International University of Japan and an expert on energy, said utility operators under the new policy could keep using old equipment instead of investing in new technology or renewables. He also said prolonging the operational life of old reactors is unsafe.
“Naturally, we should aim for newer technology and use it safely. Therefore, extending reactors' lifespans is an undesirable move,” Kikkawa recently told a talk show.
Read more: UN climate deal: Calamity cash, but no new emissions cuts
The new policy does not help address imminent supply shortages because reactors cannot be restarted as quickly as the government hopes due to operators' delayed safety upgrades and other obstacles including local consent, experts say.
Nuclear energy accounts for less than 7% of Japan’s energy supply, and achieving the government's goal of raising its share to 20-22% by fiscal 2030 will require about 27 reactors, from the current 10 — a target some say is not achievable.
Experts say developing next-generation reactors involves huge costs and uncertain prospects.
Kenichi Oshima, a Ryukoku University professor of environmental economy and energy policy, said some of what the government calls “innovative” reactors are not so different from existing technology and that prospects for nuclear fusion and other next-generation reactors are largely uncertain and not achievable anytime soon.
The regulation authority came under fire Wednesday after revelations by a civil group that a few of its experts had discussed details with industry ministry officials before the watchdog was officially asked to consider a rule change, despite their compulsory independence.
Despite the failure and closure of the Monju plutonium-burning reactor, Japan insists on continuing with spent-fuel reprocessing at the trouble-prone Rokkasho plant and nuclear fuel recycling, which has created a stockpile of excess plutonium and drawn international concerns over its nuclear safeguards. The Rokkasho plant recently announced its 26th postponement of its launch target to 2024 from 2022.
Opponents say nuclear power is not flexible and not even cheaper than renewables when final waste management and necessary safety measures are added, and that it can cause immeasurable damage in an accident or in conflict, as in Russia’s attacks on a Ukrainian nuclear plant.
Ruiko Muto, a survivor of the Fukushima disaster, called the new policy “extremely disappointing.” She added: “The Fukushima disaster is not over yet and the government seems to have already forgotten what happened.”
Outgoing Japanese envoy hopes Bangladesh’s democratic process will continue under PM Hasina’s leadership: Deputy press secretary
Outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh ITO Naoki today hoped that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, peace, stability, socioeconomic development and democratic process of Bangladesh will continue.
He conveyed the message while calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban.
PM’s deputy press secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed reporters after the meeting.
He said that both also discussed the Rohingya issue and agreed that the more than one million forcibly displaced Myanmar citizens are a huge burden for Bangladesh.
Read more: Momen praises Japan as its outgoing envoy Naoki meets him
They put emphasis on the Rohingyas’ safe return to their homeland in Myanmar.
The Prime Minister highly appreciated Japan’s assistance to set up shelter for Rohingyas in Bhashanchar island after developing it.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the businessmen of Japan to come up with larger investments as Bangladesh is a lucrative place for investment.
The Prime Minister hoped that the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Japan would be enhanced further.
She appreciated Japan's support in implementing mega projects of Bangladesh such as Matarbari deep sea port, third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and Dhaka Metro Rail.
The Prime Minister sought continuous support in Bangladesh's development while the Japanese envoy assured of always standing beside the country in its development efforts.
Read more: Japan will continue to work toward resolution of Rohingya issue: Ambassador
Sheikh Hasina also sought Japanese cooperation in developing a dedicated tourist zone for foreigners.
The Japanese envoy described it as a good initiative and expressed eagerness to cooperate.
Sheikh Hasina congratulated the Japanese envoy for successful completion of his tenure in Bangladesh and his role in enhancing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Japan.
The Japanese envoy said the foundation of the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan had been forged through Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's visit in 1973.
PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah was present in the meeting.