‘No Chinese allowed’: Japanese shop criticised for coronavirus sign
- Shop owner in Hakone says he wanted to prevent Chinese tourists from spreading the virus
- Tourism centre apologises; legal expert says sign is ‘obviously wrong’ but not against the law
“No Chinese are allowed to enter the store”, said a sign attached to the shop’s door. “I do not want to spread the virus.”
The owner of the confectionery store, who has not been identified, told the Asahi newspaper that he used a translation application to write the message in Chinese, adding, “I want to protect myself from the virus and I don’t want Chinese people to enter the store.”
Japanese health authorities have so far confirmed only one case of the virus, which is thought to have originated in Wuhan, China, but are stepping up precautions amid signs the disease is spreading. China has confirmed nine deaths and 440 infections from the virus.
Shin Hae-bong, a professor of law at Aoyama Gakuen University, said the store owner was not breaking the law as there was no legislation in Japan that specifically made acts of discrimination illegal.
