Japan-based Euro firms bemoan government's travel restrictions

European Business Council called on Japan to ease pandemic-induced travel restrictions, saying these are too tough and risk driving away foreign investment.

Michael Mroczek, president of the European Business Council in Japan, described the restrictions as "not really to be well-founded," and creates concern among European businesses that it can be imposed arbitrarily in the future.

Mroczek complained that European companies operating in Japan are at a competitive disadvantage as they cannot travel to Europe. In contrast, their Japanese counterparts are allowed to fly to Europe and back.

He added that Japan-based European businessmen could not even go to Korea and Singapore and are very restricted in their activities.

Mroczek warned that the uncertain situation could prompt European companies with Asia-Pacific headquarters based in Japan to move elsewhere.

In February last year, Japan and Europe entered into an economic partnership agreement that gave European exports a boost.

The very positive impact" of the agreement, says Mroczek, is at risk of "losing the momentum" due to Japan's travel restrictions.

Japan imposed an entry ban covering 111 countries and regions, including all of Europe.

Negotiations are underway for Japan to ease the travel restrictions for Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Vietnam.

However, it is uncertain when the ban on other countries will be removed.