A day after officials announced additional Covid border restrictions, Japan verified its first case of the Omicron coronavirus subtype.
"After investigation at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, it was determined to be a case of Omicron in the traveller arriving from Namibia," government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.
"This is the first verified Omicron case in Japan," he added, adding that the infected tourist, a guy in his 30s, is now being treated at a medical facility.
The news came only a day after Japan tightened its border procedures once more, prohibiting all new foreign arrivals just weeks after loosening strict regulations to allow certain students and business travelers through.
With rare exceptions, only Japanese nationals and current foreign residents are allowed to enter the country, and individuals arriving from places where Omicron cases have been reported must stay in hotels for three to ten days.
During the outbreak, Japan has documented slightly over 18,300 coronavirus cases while avoiding strict lockdowns.
After a rocky start, the country's immunization program has gained up steam, with roughly 77 percent of the population having received all of their vaccinations.
