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Gov't preparing to resume foreign tourist entry in June

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Does that mean 14 people with Japanese heritage? Or 21? It really does not matter at the moment as 200 people at lest are going to be involved in shepherding them from the bus to the hotel. One cough and it’s a hotel room.

-2 ( +14 / -16 )

Viewing tourism as a key driver of economic growth, Japan aims to attract up to 60 million foreign tourists in 2030.

So the LDP directed stimulus cash to hotel, inn, and restaurant owners and their landlords while the staff were left without wages and many had to go job hunting or retrain.

Will they Japan Inc. try to lure them back with wage hikes?

All signs point to no

-2 ( +13 / -15 )

I totally support this. Japan had better embrace tourism, and, yes immigration.

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

@dagon

All hospitality businesses registered as a gk or kk company received 80-100 percent subsidies to keep staff. So owners like me continued to keep staff throughout the pandemic - even as the owners received no income support.

like most owners my support money went mainly on rent to non-compassionate corporate owners with zero lee way for the situation that made the pandemic even more mentally draining for most

so glad to wake up to this news what ever form it takes , japans income and wealth in the last 15 has only been in this sector

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Judging from the initial campaign, you would assume that asian looking foreigners only were tested.

As a half I wouldn’t qualify :)

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

As many advanced countries have eased COVID-19 restrictions after the peak of the Omicron variant, Japan has been the only member among the Group of Seven industrialized countries that continues to refuse entry to foreign tourists.

Japan doesn’t fit the definition of an advanced country obviously.

Compare the US and the UK re ease of entry-Japan doesn’t even register.

Guided tourism as practised in authoritarian states is not normal tourism that Japan once had.

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

This is good news !

By next Thursday we will get the details of requirements.

Bravo !

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

Viewing tourism as a key driver of economic growth, Japan aims to attract up to 60 million foreign tourists in 2030.

Why not 61 million?

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

So owners like me continued to keep staff throughout the pandemic - even as the owners received no income support.

Nice anecdote and if true you are one of the good ones

However there was little compulsion to do so and most did not the evidence shows.

Thus as you said was mainly utilized to pay off rentiers.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

And finally..

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Japan on Tuesday began accepting small-scale tours for vaccinated tourists from the United States, Australia, Thailand and Singapore as a trial toward the resumption of foreign tourism.

In other words, members of JTB and/or JAL Pak. Don't get cute on us. We know.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Vietnam now requires ONLY a valid passport to enter the country. Is there any possibility of Japan only requiring a valid passport and vaccination proof? The visa requirement is cumbersome and the directions are confusing.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

And the doors flung wide open after the July elections!

5 ( +9 / -4 )

The article gives no mention of the entry requirements other than being vaccinated.

PCR tests?

Before flight? Previously they were a prerequisite, including a doctor's signature on the negative certificate (virtually impossible to get).

Has this changed?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

It's too soon.

Japan is not a safety country for fully vaccinated and negative tested overseas visitors.

The daily continuing high number of coronavirus cases among the Japanese population, low third vaccination rate and lack of safety measures would put overseas visitors at great risk at becoming ill in Japan. Most Japanese do want to keep it's borders closed for the foreseeable future. There is no urgency for foreign tourists to be here while Japan stumbles and bumbles its way through trying to control the virus. Let's put this issue on the backburner for at least another 12 months.

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

PCR tests at point of origin still required. Not cbanging. TOA abandoned for the majority of entrants if triple vaxxed.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Japan will keep the circus going for as long as possible.

There is no way Japan is going to allow Chinese group tours back since the Japanese government knows only too well that Sinovac is not effective.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

@tamanegi 8.40am

"Most Japanese do not want......". Where is the data to support this? Your comments to delay for 12 months are naive at best and only increase the world's view of Japan as xenophobic. Time to enter the real world.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

The previous article about this issue hinted at no quarantine or testing regardless of vaccination status. It is just a matter of time before all mandates end and the borders open to all!

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Japan just got the “number one tourist destination award” from Devos, so time to cash in.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Only stupid people will think that by opening the doors to tourists, everyone will die because of Covid. Yes, infections will probably increase, and that's the risk of opening borders! Covid is not the only disease out there. But if you are stuck with that mentality of closing borders in order to "be safe" then you really need a LIFE!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

And just how long will it take to process these visitors at the airport? Japanese tourists with no connection to UK come swan into Heathrow, go through automatic gates without giving their fingerprints or lining up for more than a minute and be out in a few seconds. Faster that PRs returning to Japan even before the pandemic.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Seigi: "Only stupid people will think that by opening the doors to tourists, everyone will die because of Covid. Yes, infections will probably increase, and that's the risk of opening borders!"

Actually, infections only seem to increase due to the complete lack of rules when Japanese nationals come back home, as has been evidenced countless times after infected people were advised to quarantine, but were told it was their choice, then they went home on crowded public transport and back to jobs like teaching junior high and driving buses, and attending drinking parties despite it being a no-no. With foreign entrants they are bound to be MUCH more strict, and so you likely won't get any infection from that source.

Personally, I think the people coming into Japan as these test cases are suckers, unless they are both rich and have a lot of free time on their hands. And they have to take a Japanese tour to boot!

-7 ( +9 / -16 )

Who cares I’m going to Australia for a lovely winter while y’all argue over borders through 2 masks in mid summer. Don’t take it off someone might see you, oh the shame!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Well, it’s heading in a positive direction at least. Still need more info - any requirements for testing, evidence for vaccinations etc? The 20,000 daily limit is still a significant restriction considering the pre-pandemic numbers. I guess this number will be raised gradually over the next couple of months.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

There is no way Japan is going to allow Chinese group tours back since the Japanese government knows only too well that Sinovac is not effective.

The Chinese won’t be going anywhere. The CCP have seen to that and it doesn’t look like that will be changing in the near future.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I cannot see many tourists coming for these supervised controlled tours from red or yellow designated countries as tests on arrival still needed, as well as hotel/home quarantine ( test even for red fully vaccinated ( 3 or more shots?) BTW) . The would need another week on their itinerary.

And I don’t see the point of all this added tourist risk some are going on about here. The tourists from blue countries would be sitting mixed on the same planes as returning Japanese and others who will all be free to go straight out into the community without tests on arrival too. Are the fear mongers saying only the foreign tourists will bring in the virus and Japanese and foreigners with different visas will not!

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Japanese reporting on this is continuing to use the word "group tours", so we can presume that's what'll be allowed.

 final arrangements to resume accepting foreign tourists in June,

= final arrangements to accept a few more foreign tourists on restricted tours. This is not a "resumption" of what was done pre-pandemic. It will be very low numbers and highly controlled.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

If anything, the story is probably too long.

Any longer and it would give more false hope than it is giving already with words like "allow", "resume" and "final arrangements". The article gives no details because the government has not announced them. When they are announced, they are likely to be disappointing.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

That's good. If they are going to accept thousands and thousands of tourists daily, surely there's no logistical way to ensure that they are all on carefully guided/shepherded tours. The article didn't mention it, but I hope they are allowed to go about on their own free will.

I'm visiting in September so likely this now means I won't have to apply for a visa and make my father-in-law run around getting paperwork filled out at City Hall proving my marriage into his family.

Hopefully I'm not visitor # 20,001 and get stuck sleeping in the airport overnight...

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

People speculating about the entry rules for tourists These are the new reentry rule to Japan from June for everyone and will apply to the new limit of 20,000 a day that will include some tourists. The tourists will have further requirements being on their restricted controlled prebooked tours as well that are being trialed now. (Perhaps they will need to be fully vaccinated even in the green group) The only information missing is what countries are in each colour which is important re quarantine and tests on arrival ( even for fully vaccinated) . Since the trials are from US, Thailand, Australia and Singapore and the US group didnt appear to have a test on arrival then those countries would have to be green or at least yellow.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page22e_000925.html

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Japanese government cannot be serious with the Corona virus and monkey pokey.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Gov't preparing to resume foreign tourist entry in June

I'll believe it when I see it.

-6 ( +11 / -17 )

Well..i think its good that Japan is finally opening up to tourists.

Regardless of what other countries or people say about it.

I know the USA loves to call itself an advanced nation, but in less than 300 years what has it achieved ?

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

Thomas and William,

Agree with you both.

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

They better do something soon, I was just at immigration yesterday and there was really nobody there.

Unbelievable.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

But from select countries and with different entry quarantine requirements ….

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Currently returning Japanese and residents do not heed a doctors signature but a specific kind of officially Certified PCR test. Also needed are some apps installed on your phone and a signed pledge.

https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/manual/pdf-en/detail.pdf

Tourists must need the test I am sure but I wonder if they need the apps as well, ( such as yesterday’s US trial group, ) since they are under constant supervision on where they go.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Who would want to come to Japan when everybody is still masked up?

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Elvis

the Japanese consulate or embassy in your departure country provides a list of places that do the pcr test in the officially correct way, I guess that means with the signature etc ( it is not cheap). Don’t forget your signed pledge and to download the apps

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

What @Paul14 said, this is not a cheap or easy place to get to, nobody is planning that trip of a life time to be given the stink eye for not wanting to wear a mask.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

As many advanced countries have eased COVID-19 restrictions after the peak of the Omicron variant, Japan has been the only member among the Group of Seven industrialized countries that continues to refuse entry to foreign tourists.

Japan continuously falls behind on almost every category when it comes to G7's progress and innovation. I'm starting to think that they enjoy being "the only G7 country that lacks / falls behind on / is ranked lowest when it comes to ___". News flash: it's not something to be proud of.

We'll see what happens come summer with regards to Japan opening its borders to tourists again but I foresee a lot of caveats and restrictions and fumbles and backtracking because that just seems to be the Japanese way.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

In an already grossly overpopulated country, is over-tourism, as in the past, a good thing, I don't think so

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Face the facts, free people take a vaccine or not and travel to a foreign country or not according to their personal wishes and desires. I certainly respect the Government of Japan, but I hope the Government is respecting me too with my wish to skip that vaccines and see the ancient temples in Kyoto and Nara, eat Japanese food and drink sake. If Japan wants to challenge leaders like Xi, Putin and Kim, the only way to do so is by respecting my choices as an unimportant dweller in this world! I saved a half million yen in cash and I hope I can soon spend it as I like!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Absolute morons.

Once again, so inept, slow, behind the rest of the world.

Heck, don't care how you are defining the world, but after all the number of infected, and of death in Japan HAS BEEN WAY LOWER than what is assumed you call the world

The article is about Entry of foreign tourists... Yes TOURISTS.... I am so sorry for the ones who wanted to tour in Japan. I really am for inept, slow, always behind whatever unknown...

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Thomas GoodtimeToday  06:35 pm JST

Heck, don't care how you are defining the world, but after all the number of infected, and of death in Japan HAS BEEN WAY LOWER than what is assumed you call the world

Carry on believing what you want to Kenny.

I believe Japan is an absolute liar, and 'massager' of numbers.

SO WHAT else do you want to do other than posting here old man?

Carry on believing what you want Thomas. So sorry for you having been borne as a Japanese and endured SUCH inept government for as long as 70+ years.

Which nation could possibly be perfectly honest? Perhaps better you keep carrying this on as a UK citizen ASAP despite time difference. I might get just a bit more sincere in such case.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

story too short.

does tourists have to be vaccinated-does they need show any covid pass?

does tourists can come even in case if they are not vaccinated?

does tourists have to pay for some kind of tests-wif yes what tests are needed and what is pricey for test?

final question-daily cap is 20.000 people how about if somoen will be 20.001st.what can he /she do..stay at airport?if yes where he/she will stay and who will pay for stying costs/for example some hotel/?

why we dont get all info in full and clear?how some potential tourist can be satisfied by your short "information" and convinced to invest money and come to Japan for a pricey trip?

it says government is still preparing so very likely that means they haven't ironed out all these details yet

you know how it is with this govt - takes forever to get something done! slow and steady wins the race right?

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Nothing Burger announcement:

Will start allowing escorted tours on June 10th, not general tourist entry...

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I believe Japan is an absolute liar, and 'massager' of numbers.

Um, Japan is not a person, nor a monolithic entity, nor an singular group of people, other than the entire population of Japanese.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The Japanese government is making final arrangements to resume accepting foreign tourists in June, further relaxing its border controls imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.

No, we do not need tourists here.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

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