Japan to begin Go To Travel Campaign on July 22

Hardly a great idea when Tokyo residents have been asked not to leave the prefecture

Yay go to travel, spread covid 19 all around Japan! Actually Koike, there are 4c's.

Go To Travel...? Ummmm...

How much is the Go to Virus Test

Typical, this is what happens when people who don't have a medical background take the lead in the fight against this virus. Cases are on the rise throughout Japan now, great timing. Nishimura and Kato will get bitten in the six.

If you watch national government briefings and the media, only hosts and hostesses are at risk of covid, and there’s zero risk for the general public. Why would the general public take any precautions if you tell them there’s no risk, and only hosts and hostesses are capable of being infected???

As the general public tend to do whatever the government says, expect 80-90% of the population to travel in august/obon, as confirmed by recent surveys.

I’m going to take advantage of it! Several times!

Yep, help spread the virus across all the prefectures in the country.

This is such a bad idea. I've already met a bunch of people in Ikebukuro who are planning to take advantage of it to head off all over Japan at the end of the month.

Surely it would be exactly as effective to give the money directly to the hotels and hospitality businesses in those areas, while encouraging everyone to have staycations for the time being.

Then, maybe at the end of the year or start of next year, once the situation is better, start giving people subsidies to travel.

I'm not planning on taking my family anywhere at the end of the month, as that seems the responsible thing to do... and so I'm missing out on free subsidies that irresponsible people will be able to get.

This is as silly as Abenomask.

@ Vince Black

Unusually, I have to ‘go to agree’ with you regarding the campaign slogan.

Still, keeping with your ‘no crime should go unpunished’ maxim, what draconian retribution do you believe should be meted out to the Tourism Ministry for this linguistic aberration?

Tokyo citizens had better be exempt from this subsidy. The last thing we need it a bunch of travelers from hotspots seeding local outbreaks among smaller prefectures which until now have had very limited case loads.

Very limited choice! It is all arranged by JATA and JTB, so their hotels, transportation, shops, souvenirs, tours, etc..

As for the estimated commission fees of up to 309.5 billion yen, just another payola from the same people who spent billions on the Abenomask, to their friends and cronies.

Not a big surprise that , after Dentsu, now JTB gets a nice subsidy from the Abe government.

i am all for supporting the tourist sector and they need the help now but it should be direct financial support rather than indirect support and travel must wait.

Already booked a trip for September directly with ANA and the hotel. So can not get anything back if my understanding is correct

with the government initially providing discounts

to be billed to future taxpayers

Right on, can't wait to tour the country with the fam! Isn't it a great privilege to be able to live in this awesome country?

The only things dumber than the government's ideas, are the names they give them.

I’m happy for the down votes! That means less of you downers out there taking up rooms and space! Enjoy staying at home!

Fact is, I haven’t really stayed home at all. I’ve been to the beach about 6 times in the last 3 months, been to the karaoke bar since they reopened about 5 times, been going to cafes regularly, enjoying some finer dining in hotels and restaurants. Gotta say, it’s really nice to have so much space!

Goto back home and stay safe!

Somebodies have gone mad.

It is pretty obvious now the governments plan is herd immunity.

Kyoto imperial Villa? Hey, I went there when I visited Japan in December. I mean obviously, now‘s not a good time to be doing this tourism campaign, with a spike in cases in Tokyo and all. Still, it’s interesting that they should be choosing this particular place, for the article. Because this was one of my favorite places to go, when I visited in December.

@James Our only hope is that the herd immunity campaign actually works this time, because it doesn’t look like the government is going to be backtracking on this. At least not much anyways.

These organizations have to appear to be doing something, anything, even if it is stupid.

it is about the appearance, not actually being useful.

They've nailed that!

Heck I can't even get back into the country to live again.... I'd love some COVID travel money though.

Chee hoo

There is even suspicion about ”GoTo campaign” that Japanese Abe Govt who wants to restart old-normal economy uses its campaign to force general public get collective immunity.

I’m working and saving because round 2 will be here soon and it will be ‘stay home!’ and no way to pay rent again!

I’m working and saving because round 2 will be here soon and it will be ‘stay home!’ and no way to pay rent again!

I agree that round 2 will come. Unless forbidden by law, I will still go to the beach.