South Korea threatened retaliation against Japan for what it called an "irrational and excessive" request for its citizens to voluntarily quarantine themselves, as Tokyo's outbreak-control measures renewed tensions between the neighbours.
Through March 31, Japan will:
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revoke already-issued visas for people from China and South Korea
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suspend visa-free travel from Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea
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require visitors from China and South Korea to stay in designated facilities for two weeks as a quarantine step
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limit the destinations of flights from China and South Korea to Narita and Kansai airports
Until further notice, Japan:
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adds entry ban for travellers from some areas of South Korea's North Gyeongsang, as well as those from Qom Province in Iran
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prohibits resale of surgical masks in Japan based on emergency law
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "deep regret" over Japan's latest travel restrictions in a statement Friday, saying they came "without prior or sufficient discussion with us, and we strongly urge these measures be immediately withdrawn".
The ministry hinted at deeper mistrust between the two sides, saying "we cannot help but be suspicious of a separate intention other than prevention of the virus".
South Korea's presidential office said after a National Security Committee meeting Friday that it was considering "corresponding measures," while the foreign ministry said it would summon the Japanese ambassador.
In Tokyo, Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told reporters the policy was a non-binding, voluntary request for quarantine, adding the government was asking visitors from South Korea and China to stay indoors at hotels and homes for two weeks.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in's government has lodged repeated protests in recent days as some 100 nations placed travel bans or restrictions on arrivals from his country, where authorities are coping with the world's largest tally of confirmed cases outside China.
Japan joined the trend Thursday, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying his country on Monday would start quarantining visitors from China and South Korea.
South Korea is especially suspicious of the move by Japan, which comes as the two sides attempt hold together an uneasy truce after a bitter trade and diplomatic feud last year.
The dispute is rooted in disagreements over whether Japan has shown proper contrition for its 1910-45 occupation of the Korean Peninsula.
Mr Moon, whose party faces a crucial legislative election next month, has been criticised at home for not imposing tough measures on visitors from China, its biggest trading partner.
Japan's own travel measures came after Mr Abe faced pressure over his coronavirus response, which was initially seen as muted in comparison to other countries.
Mr Moon's approval rating inched up to 44% from 42% a week ago, a Gallup Korea tracking survey showed Friday. Moon reversed a slide from last week when people saw his initial response as ineffective, and has won support as he has framed his response as part of a nationwide "war" to halt the virus.
Flights from China and South Korea will be restricted to Narita International Airport near Tokyo and Kansai International Airport in Osaka, while arrivals by ship will be halted, Abe said Thursday. Japan will suspend some visas already issued to Chinese and South Korean nationals, he added.
Prior to the move, Japan had banned entry to foreigners who had been in the hardest-hit areas such as South Korea's Daegu city.
Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said Friday that South Koreans and Chinese visitors would be asked to quarantine themselves at hotels and homes, and Kyodo News reported his ministry as saying that the quarantine was a request and non-binding.
