Japanese Store Bans Chinese Buyers Over Fears of Coronavirus

A confectionery store in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan has gained mixed reactions from the community after the owner started implementing a ban on Chinese buyers. A sign written in Mandarin has been spotted outside the shop and it says that Chinese people are not allowed within its premises for fears that they may be carrying the deadly novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Located in the district of Yumoto, the business installed the sign which read, “Chinese people are banned from entering this store. I don’t want them to spread the virus.”

In an interview with the media, the store owner, whose identity remains undisclosed, said he used an app to translate the sign into Mandarin. He explained that he came up with the decision as a safety measure against the viral disease.

In addition to that, he also voiced out his complaints about “ill-mannered Chinese tourists” who have “caused trouble” in his shop.

The community has since expressed mixed reactions about the controversial sign. While others understood and supported the owner, there were also those who contacted him, asking him to apologize and change the ‘racist’ sign.

Eventually, the owner promised that he will “rewrite the sign” and alter the wordings to avoid offending people. Despite that, he likewise added that he will still stand firm about not allowing any Chinese buyers to enter his store.

The new coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan City in the province of Hubei. It has since caused an outbreak across China, forcing government officials to implement travel lockdowns in many areas. Several confirmed cases of the disease have also been reported from 19 other countries namely Australia, Cambodia, Canada, France, Finland, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.