Tokyo has asked Beijing to stop giving anal swab tests to Japanese citizens when they enter China – because the COVID-19 exam causes mental anxiety.
“Some Japanese reported to our embassy in China that they had received anal swab tests, which caused a lot of psychological pain,” Katsunobu Kato, Japan’s general secretary, told a news conference.
Kato said the government had not yet received a response from Beijing over the change of procedure, adding that it was not known how many Japanese citizens had received such tests for the coronavirus, Reuters reported.
Some cities in China use anal samples to detect potential infections, as the country has stepped up the investigation to make sure no possible infection is missed.
Wang Wenbin, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Beijing’s testing methods were “scientifically based” and “in line with changes in the epidemic situation as well as applicable laws and regulations.”
The Japanese request comes shortly after the US used the Chinese government to use anal swabs to test US diplomats.
Beijing has insisted that the checks were done “incorrectly”, although the Chinese Foreign Ministry also denied that US diplomats had to take the anal tests.
Tests with anal swabs can avoid missing infections, as viral spores in stool samples or anal swabs may remain detectable longer than in the respiratory tract, Li Tongzeng, a doctor in respiratory diseases in Beijing, claimed he declared in January TV.