TOKYO – Japan has asked China to stop taking anal swab tests for coronavirus disease 2019 on its citizens when they enter the country.
Some have complained that the procedure caused them “psychological distress”, officials said.
China started carrying out anal swabs in January.
Last week, it denied it had required the United States (US) diplomats to undergo such tests.
“Some Japanese reported to our embassy in China they received anal swab tests, which caused great psychological pain,” chief Cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato said.
It was not known how many Japanese citizens received such tests.
The tests are used on some of those quarantined or entering China, he added, noting their use “has not been confirmed anywhere else in the world”.(BBC)
