national

Gov't to begin issuing vaccine passports in July

72 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

72 Comments
Login to comment

I don’t know the general view on these, but I think they’re a great idea.

Just hope that we don’t need a FAX machine to get one!

-1 ( +24 / -25 )

Of course it would come to this. It'll be interesting to see how far they try to push it domestically. For a disease that only affects a tiny proportion the population, and from which the vast majority who catch it fully recover.

Fascists.

-20 ( +24 / -44 )

The government is asking other countries to exempt travelers carrying the documents that officially certify their vaccination status from quarantine or to shorten the quarantine period, government sources said earlier.

Before asking other countries, Japan should first show what it will be doing with its strict quarantine.

32 ( +37 / -5 )

And to think, a year agopeople who said this would happen were labeled “conspiracy theorists”. Still asleep?

29 ( +46 / -17 )

Knowing Japan these won’t be electronic. It will require a hanko and a trip to immigration

27 ( +33 / -6 )

so this means when you get your vaccine, you need to be provided with some sort of proof.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Crazy isnt it? Show Us your papers and documents or you cannot cross these borders .................sounds like something from a movie out of Europe in the early 1940s

-3 ( +26 / -29 )

As far as I know you don't get a vaccination certificate when inoculated in Japan, so I wonder if one can just go to their shiyakusho and get the vaccine passport by telling them they got the jab in Osaka or Tokyo at one of those mass vaccination centres allowing anyone over 18, without showing any actual evidence.

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

So all the things they are asking for don’t apply to anyone entering Japan even returning from a trip - Japanese nationals included?!

8 ( +10 / -2 )

If the purpose is to show proof of immunity, they should also include those who recovered from an infection.

Knowing Japan these won’t be electronic. It will require a hanko and a trip to immigration

... and you'll also have to buy a stamp.

17 ( +25 / -8 )

When we got our jabs the nurse put a sticky label on our vouchers (sent through the post, what you need to make an appointment) with the date, type of jab, clinic's stamp and a QR code, which I assume is intended as proof of vaccination.

Isn't that a vaccination certificate?

Presumably you'd have to take that to the yakuba as proof to get the details put on your passport.

No biggie.

9 ( +17 / -8 )

Apr. 29 07:03 am JST Posted in: Japan to introduce 'vaccine passports' for international travel See in context

If you mentioned "vaccine passports" a year ago, you were called a conspiracy theorist.

16 ( +22 / -6 )

Agreed Cleo - and anyone complaining is doing so for the sake of it.

Even if initially just allows us to re-enter Japan and shorten quarantine or just have a negative test on arrival then its a step in the right direction and anybody who wants a return to normal should embrace.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

Great idea if you're actually offering the vaccine to everyone.

Wonder how long I'll have to wait...

0 ( +8 / -8 )

When we got our jabs the nurse put a sticky label on our vouchers (sent through the post, what you need to make an appointment) with the date, type of jab, clinic's stamp and a QR code, which I assume is intended as proof of vaccination.

What about those millions of people getting their vaccine through work? - they are not relying on the govt voucher at all.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I would have thought they would have had this in place since they were not giving actual inoculations until recently.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Before asking other countries, Japan should first show what it will be doing with its strict quarantine.

exctaly what I was asking myself, so after I get my vaccination passport I can be exempted from quarantine and PCR test if I travel back to Europe but still not clear at all what happens when I fly back to Japan. I assume there will be no quarantine anymore but prefer to see it clearly written.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

The hypocrisy of this government. Asking other countries to please accept the Japanese vaccine passport but still denying entry to foreign visitors to Japan (vaccinated or not).

20 ( +23 / -3 )

What about those millions of people getting their vaccine through work? - they are not relying on the govt voucher at all.

not sure why this comment gets downvoted - its factually correct and its a legitimate question.

maybe some people are just annoyed that some are able to get their vaccinations through work - I don't know why that would be but oh well, if it makes them feel better, so be it.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Here we can see all immunisations etc on our digital health record through the government’s Medicare website.

Could Japan not have the same system? All you’d need to do is download/print your records and there you go. No need to create more paperwork…

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@AustPaul

Japan gets stuck at digital.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Very bad idea, it will further rip the world apart.

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

Correct me if I am wrong, I have been in the past, however - Why do we need a separate passport when a Doctor can simply stamp your original passport that you already have indicating that you have been vaccinated?

Just another stamp by a Doctor.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

vaccine passport, a great example of discrimination in XXI century

now downvote me all, as usual

-13 ( +11 / -24 )

Getting the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccination has left side effects.

I have followed, a few days after the first injection, a spreading itchiness under the skin that has moved slowly and steadily upwards away from the injection site.

I won’t be going back for the second injection.

Quarantine and PCR tests won’t go away anytime soon and I am fine with that.

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

Getting the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccination has left side effects.

I have followed, a few days after the first injection, a spreading itchiness under the skin that has moved slowly and steadily upwards away from the injection site.

I won’t be going back for the second injection.

Why? That's a common side effect. It means your immune system is working and learning to fight off the virus. It's doing exactly what it's supposed to.

9 ( +18 / -9 )

Bjorn:

Crazy isnt it? Show Us your papers and documents or you cannot cross these borders .................sounds like something from a movie out of Europe in the early 1940s

Yeah, I know. I also hate using my current passport - why on earth should we need to use them - to collect visa stamps? I should be able to just walk into any country without showing any documentation.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Have had a passport-sized yellow book since the 1970s - international certificates of vaccinations.

Just two more jabs to record in it. No big deal.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

No mention that these passports will change the reentry requirements back into Japan. What is the point if the testing and quarantine requirements are identical for those unvaccinated and those with these passports!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

No mention that these passports will change the reentry requirements back into Japan. What is the point if the testing and quarantine requirements are identical for those unvaccinated and those with these passports!

I wouldn't be surprised if this were only to enable Japanese to travel more easily.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Could work both ways.

Tourists will probably prefer destinations requiring vaccine passports over those who don't.

I would if I'm a tourist.

Same with establishments/conveyances etc

8 ( +11 / -3 )

I've had my jabs, and I've got proof. But if Japan insists that I go into 14 days of quarantine, should I want to visit again, my next 6-week international adventure will certainly not be to Japan.

Thus spoke this Canadian.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

If the purpose is to show proof of immunity, they should also include those who recovered from an infection.

The problem with this is that "proof of immunity" is a much more difficult to standardize thing until there is scientific evidence of how the immunity decreases, for a vaccine the date of vaccination is obviously registered, and the vaccine is a standard antigenic stimulus, approximately the same for everybody being vaccinated. Only having a test of antibodies for example do not indicate when was the infection, how serious, nor what is the amount of protection the person have except at the moment of the test. For that a series of tests would be necessary and ideally including evaluation of cellular immunity, something that is difficult, expensive and takes time to do.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Will these vaccine passports be good in Japan or just overseas? PM Suga didn't mention this in his news conference on Thursday evening. (Perhaps that wasn't in his notes.)

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@

@virusrex establishing "proof of immunity" is not a practical route to follow. (as you said) This is really a public health situation. We will only know that the pandemic is over when the infections drop to a very low level and stay there for some time. Vaccine passports are not "proof of immunity", but they are a powerful incentive for the wider population to get vaccinated. That's why I support vaccine passports. (Actually, immunization records have been around and accepted for many decades.)

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

@iamtheponz you should not skip the second vaccination. The itching is a common side effect. If it's bothersome you should ask your physician for advice. Itching usually occurs after an immune reaction. A mosquito bite for example. The itching indicates your body is working correctly. Chances are that you will not have the same reaction following the second vaccination. Don't decide by yourself, ask your physician, unless you are a doctor.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@kurisupisu

Have you discussed this with your doctor?

I experienced some fatigue after my first Astra jab but pending prolonged complications they still recommend the second dose to increase the efficacy.

However just today due to more cases of blood clots they now recommend Astra for over 60’s in Australia.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It will be so funny if they really implement all those passports ONLY FOR JAPANESE to travel around the world disregarding all foreign students who still struggle to come to Japan, all foreign families were separated for a year and more.

Yeah, it will be the best comedy I saw ever.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Mentioned on Japan Times:

The certificates could help residents who have been inoculated in Japan travel abroad without being subjected to restrictions at border crossings. [...] However, Japan is not planning to establish a system that would allow vaccine passports issued abroad to be accepted when people enter the country.

How stupid is that...

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/06/17/national/vaccine-passports-travel-japan/

8 ( +8 / -0 )

You will get the vaccine through using the notification sent to you from your ward office. This will be recorded at the vaccination center, clinic or at your work place. I guess to get your vaccine certificate will involve a trip to the health section of your ward office and probably the handing over of a sum of cash.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This is so Japan!

So as molasses in winter to get the vaccine out but faster than a rocket to create another piece of paper that bureaucrats can have people fill out so they can put a stamp (Hanko) on it.

Damn this country loves it bureaucracy!

Oh not saying I have a problem with the vaccine certificate, just pointing out few have gotten the vaccine ( I'm still waiting for a voucher) but the government is lightning far with more paperwork.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Hard no thank you. Why in the world do we need to prove that we got a Vax for a disease with a 99%+ survival rate. If you're vaxxed, you should have no reason to give a about people who aren't vaxxed.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Heard they also considering issuing them for domestic travel as well. And how would that work if are moving around by car or local train eh? This is getting more Orwellian by the day.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Japan wants quarantine exceptions for vaccinated Japanese going abroad, but doesn’t have any for vaccinated individuals entering Japan. Why not? Why won’t my vaccine proof allow me to shorten my quarantine time in Japan. Double standards rule Japan.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Another example of encroaching on civil liberties, the haves and have nots around the world.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Will people from other countries with their vaccination passport be allowed entry into Japan?

What about those who refuse the vaccination or for health reasons can not have it? Will they still be able to travel?

Apparently the reason Japan has no plans yet to use vaccine passport is so as not to discriminate against those who are not vaccinated for any reason.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The government who supplies my passport doesn’t even know what I’ve been doing the last 30 years.

Total .. you renewed your passport they have a full record of your travels. Unless you are going to say you have no passport and never travel!

Oh and please no one use the silly thing "I disabled my chip" anyone doing that will have a difficult time entering most countries causing significant delays, ( my passport got damaged held up 3 hours at Narita leaving 2 hours entering my home country had to get a replacement passport with new IC chip) and if caught willfully damaging the chip serious legal consequences.

I laugh at all this, you will all get certification if you intend on traveling just as I had to back in my youth with the "International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis".

And please none of the " counterfeits will be around" stuff it would be far cheaper and simpler to get the genuine thing and as I have previously pointed out, presenting false documents to any countries immigration is a criminal offense and will get you into far more trouble.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

One way only … Japan ask other countries to open their frontiers if japonese travel les detain a vaccine passport BUT still restrict foreigners to enter Japan even if they are fully vaccinated.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Yet again more errors from previous poster. They wouldn’t even know I’m in Japan if I didn’t tell them. They did not where I’ve been the last 30 years either as I mainly travelled through Europe and just showed my passport, nothing was recorded. My last passport I got in UK and had sent to a friends address. Went to GP for something and nobody had knownI had not been resident and got NHS for free as usual, nobody even asked. I don’t know if they my movements more since my last passport was issued in 2018 which does have an IC chip and I don’t really care. BTW I would never tell anyone to damage the chip on their passport or get fake documents of any kind to use in a deceptive manner.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

It has been more than 12 weeks since the previous shot and the side effect is still there today.

It is not an itching-it is as though there are tendrils under the skin that make themselves felt from time to time.

I am more than happy to have a PCR test than another 12 weeks or more of being invaded by these unwanted effects

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Other than some soreness on the shoulder on day one, I didn't have any side-effects.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

However, the risk of dying with Covid, with just one injection is now 80% less than 0.08 risk before the injection

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

It's not the risk of dying with covid that worries me. If I die, I'm dead.

It's the risk of living with long covid that worries me.

Although I'm less worried now that I've had my first shot.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Don't "experts" here read?!

The EU is doing exactly the SAME thing.

If only ignorance could kill....

Jeeeez/

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Such arrogant to ask other countries to be flexible when Japan is NOT!!!?

For example, Japanese can go to France including tourist, no quarantine,no futher test, just a proof of vaccination or pcr or antigen test!

Coming to Japan? Only resident first and even if got vaccine or test at departure, you need another Pcr test at airport arrival, forced to a quarantine in stinky hotel 3 days with poor bento, public transport prohibited and 11 more days at home (or hotel for those far from international airport).

Pathetic....

3 ( +6 / -3 )

In the USA they give you a certificate when vaccinated that tells the date, vaccine brand and lot number. I'm surprised they don't have this in japan. It's a simple card they write out in real time.

Regarding the "passport", I only hope they make this arrangement reciprocal. If not, Japan is going to catch a lot of flack.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Of course Japan will issue a licence first on paper........it will be faxed to each little worker ant.... LLF

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Gov't to begin issuing vaccine passports in July

To who? Do we get one even if we aren't vaccinated?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Vote me Down please, but it is going as simple as getting your Inkan Shomesho, or any other document from city office. so there you have it.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

El RataJune 17  04:46 pm JST

As far as I know you don't get a vaccination certificate when inoculated in Japan, 

I'm afraid you don't know much. Because the vaccination coupons that people in Japan are getting to get vaccinated state in English "Certificate of Vaccination for COVID-19".

7 ( +8 / -1 )

JosephJune 18  08:46 am JST

In the USA they give you a certificate when vaccinated that tells the date, vaccine brand and lot number. I'm surprised they don't have this in japan. It's a simple card they write out in real time.

They do. Its the same in the US, UK, EU.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Getting the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccination has left side effects.

I have followed, a few days after the first injection, a spreading itchiness under the skin that has moved slowly and steadily upwards away from the injection site.

I won’t be going back for the second injection.

That's something I don't understand. People say "I don't want the vaccine because Covid is not so bad anyways, i've heard a lot of people don't die from it". But then they get a tiny itch from the vaccine and they're like "oh no this is terrible I'm dying".

Believe someone who had Covid -and the vaccine one year later- I'll take the vaccine anytime but I never, ever want to catch Covid again. It's a mean disease, it made me sick like a dog for months even though I'm young, healthy and had no idea it could be so bad for someone like me.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Believe someone who had Covid -and the vaccine one year later- I'll take the vaccine anytime but I never, ever want to catch Covid again. It's a mean disease, it made me sick like a dog for months even though I'm young, healthy and had no idea it could be so bad for someone like me.

Yeah, people here always say the risk of dying isn't bad. I have life insurance, I lived a good life. I don't want to die, but if I do, I do. It's the living with covid that worries me. I've spent a life of athleticism, and the idea of scarred lungs and not being able to work out the way I always have terrifies me.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites