Go To travel subsidy program to cover half of costs from October

Makes no sense to exclude Tokyo. In percentage terms we are similar to places like Osaka.

What is 50% of 35%?

@TrevorPeace

It says they are increasing to 50% from 35%.

Don’t include Tokyo... so I am saving my money until I can travel overseas again.

As long as people from Kanto especially Tokyo, dont go to 能登半島 its fine.

I know there have been petitions urging the government to cancel this program, but has anyone pointed out to them that "go to travel" is not proper English?

What Akaba should be doing is streamlining the application process, there are about

7 forms to fill and provide. The application took me more than 2 hours, applying online is

encouraged but then confusing, in then end printed everything and posted.

I don't want to go through the cumbersome application process again.

As most middle to low class people have no money to travel, I guess this would mostly benefit the upper class families. Any of you who know how it cost to travel in Japan know what I mean.

but has anyone pointed out to them that "go to travel" is not proper English?

Classic line for all English teachers:

Teacher: How was your weekend?

Student: I went to shopping.

It’s the “Go To Hospital” campaign

As long as people from Kanto especially Tokyo, dont go to 能登半島 its fine.

People who works in Tokyo some of them are commuting from neighboring area, so even if they don't live in Tokyo they go to Tokyo during workdays. People who live in neighboring area still eligible for Go To Travel despite their daily commuting destination, which probably Tokyo.

Goes against one of the fundamental rules of infection control

Heard that places are increasing their prices .... so in the end you pay the same.

Precisely what happens when governments print money.

Subsidized holidays for the wealthy.

Yes, that's true. However, tourism itself is a transfer of wealth from the rich to the poor. It's not the only or likely the best way to make that happen, but it does have an effect.

https://www.odi.org/blogs/4717-tourism-poor-places-who-gets-what

I wonder what the requirements are for these coupons. Stayed at a hotel last weekend and they said the rules changed and they need ids for all family members - health insurance card for kids and photo id (2 ids if they don't have a photo one) for adults. My wife didn't have a photo id with her but luckily the manager let it slide, otherwise you have to fax it to them...

@klausdorth

Wait, when did they say that the economy was booming?

I mean I hear you about not wanting to travel because of the virus, but I don’t recall anyone saying that the Japanese economy was booming. That’s all. Nothing more nothing less.

You know, I’m a bit torn on this. On one hand, I understand and even share a lot of the fears that some of you were talking about. That the “go to” campaign is a bad idea, because it will help spread the virus further.

On the other hand, Japan has done quite well, and that was before the internal travel restrictions were put in. Since it’s been in place for a little while now, and since the case is generally are going down despite that, then it’s obviously not so bad of an idea after all.

I’m not sure, because like I said, I’m mixed on this.

Go to travel in a pandemic....yeah, why not?

If you're worried travel locally. Most prefectures are running local travel campaigns too which combined with go to can give you 70% discountrs

From what I read, GoToトラベル (GoToTravel) sounds more like GoToトラブル (GoToTrouble).

Someone is bad at math over and over. 35% of accommodation and 15% of food is not 50% of total.

There's always somebody who complains.

Can’t we rename the campaign to ‘Travel in Pandmic’?

It just doesn't make sense.

Heard that places are increasing their prices 

Typical Japanese logic.

I see it on Yahoo Auctions and Mercari as well.

If something doesn't sell or people don't buy, even for months or weeks, the thinking is usually, RAISE prices to entice sales.............

Seriously, where do people get these ideas from?

they should just open up the borders again and wouldn't need to use that money ...

I hate to nitpick but why do all these campaigns and whatnot always have titles in English? Is English suddenly the official language in Japan?

Very easy to use! I just booked a one-week trip to Hokkaido (Hakodate, Toyako, and Sapporo/Otaru) through JTB, and the travel agency immediately took 35% off the cost. Everything included: flights, hotels, meals, and travel between cities. Most other travelers seen at the hotels were young families with young kids.

This is a regressive transfer of wealth masquerading as a coronavirus stimulus measure.

Higher sales and residence taxes are being funneled to support middle/upper income leisure travel and rentier businesses.

Subsidize leisure travel and food stuffs, that is the way to overcome this crisis. ?!

The average Taro might see a couple more hours on their shift at the local izakaya.

I feel a paradox.

we use Go To every 2 weeks. I believe that we are helping local communities.

But this tax payer funded service is only for rich people. One in 6 children in Osaka live below the poverty line. They have to pay tax, but rich people can get their donations

@Goodlucktoyou - I think, this Virus Pandemic is now highlighting more so the "have's" from the "have not's" exemplified by those who are in power with "limited brains" - typified by one "Matt Hancock" (UK) as an example.... ah but British Politics is strife with Rich Nobs... both L and R and C.

I'm not a leftist... nor a rightist.,.. but a pragmatist... I see what I see, tell what I see, and if something works for me, will say so, or otherwise.

kohakuebisuSep. 9  11:09 am JST

Subsidized holidays for the wealthy.

Yes, that's true. However, tourism itself is a transfer of wealth from the rich to the poor. It's not the only or likely the best way to make that happen, but it does have an effect.

Yes, this is true but also remember that the money the government is using for this program comes from us middle/low class family's taxes.