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| Above, the Tokyo Skytree under construction behind the Asahi Beer Hall in 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer, |
Japan has been closed off to tourists for nearly two years. Others, such as students, are in limbo. They may have visas, but they still are having difficulty being allowed in.
Despite closing off the country, COVID-19 and its Omicron variant still managed to enter the country.
Because of the measures taken by the Japanese government, Japan's reputation has been tarnished. Asia Times has an article on this. The once "Cool Japan" is now known as something vastly different.
They begin it with:
TOKYO – In recent years, Japan has promoted itself as “Cool Japan,” seeking to lure tourists with its futuristic trappings, its appealing traditional culture and the modern draws of manga, anime and a more general warm, fuzzy cuteness.
However, after two years of essentially closing the doors on foreigners seeking to enter the country, while keeping students, resident workers and spouses hanging in limbo, that image has changed.
Behold the new brand: “Cruel Japan.”
Japan’s staunch, pro-business newspaper the Nikkei has been reporting on the damage the travel ban has done to Japan’s reputation and soft power globally. An article published on February 11 referred to the world’s third-largest economy as 残酷日本, or Cruel Japan.
To read more, go here.
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