Japan goes on high alert after first omicron case detected

Prefectures intensify genetic analysis efforts to track variants

20211130N Narita airport

A staff member wearing a protective suit checks the temperature of a passenger boarding an international flight at Narita Airport near Tokyo. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan's central and local governments have sprung into action after the detection of the first omicron variant case in the country, bolstering tracking and testing efforts to prevent an outbreak of the heavily mutated strain of the coronavirus.   

A Namibian diplomat in his 30s who arrived at Narita Airport near Tokyo was confirmed Tuesday to have the variant, which was first reported by South Africa last week.

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