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Japan to ease COVID border controls 'in stages' from June: Kishida

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"I will promote bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and growth strategies that would trigger private-sector investment,"

Come on then, get on with it! Don't just talk about it. DO IT!

25 ( +31 / -6 )

Regarding masks, Japanese people have to be told not to wear them and they are not necessary. Like Monty says, unless people are told directly they will continue wearing them forever like an obedient child, regardless of logic.

18 ( +50 / -32 )

As others have said, Japanese people will be wearing masks forever. It will take celebrities or politicians telling them they don’t need to wear them anymore in order for them to stop.

Sadly, masks are a part of the Japanese uniform now, just like suits and neckties.

14 ( +30 / -16 )

Walk the talk!

Dont wait until the July elections…

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Has anyone of the posters been to Japan before? When I first came (and never left) in 2003. everybody was wearing masks, same as today.

That just simply isn't true and never has been. Japanese people wear masks if they have a cold or flu so as to try to stop coughing over everyone around them and spreading the virus. Also, some people that have hay fever wear masks, especially at times when there are high levels of pollen in the air as they believe it alleviates their symptoms. Altogether, at any one time maybe 5% of people would be wearing a mask. That is completely different to the situation today where close to 100% of people are wearing a mask at all times when out in public, irrespective of whether they have hay fever or cold or flu symptoms.

12 ( +17 / -5 )

everybody was wearing masks, same as today.

No they weren't. Before corona came along, some people were wearing masks, maybe 5-10% at any one time, depending on the season. Anything more is a gross exaggeration.

12 ( +17 / -5 )

It’s going to get very uncomfortable in summer, I hate wearing a mask but do it to placate the social norms. Once I’m in the car it’s off. I can’t believe it when I see solo drivers wearing a mask with the windows up? It’s part of some uniform that needs to be worn? Luckily my shopping social outgoings last less than thirty minutes, any more than that I’m getting distressed wearing a mask.

10 ( +24 / -14 )

Yoyogi59Today  08:22 am JST

Has anyone of the posters been to Japan before? When I first came (and never left) in 2003. everybody was wearing masks, same as today.

Thats not been my experience but then again I don’t live in a big city and I do not commute anywhere for work. I had never felt pressured to put on a mask at anytime prior to covid. I do now as it does appear to be the norm. I do think though for the sake of the pandemic it was a good thing but it is time for Japan to relax a bit with the face mask especially with summer on the horizon.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Masks should be a persons personal choice. Mask or no mask Covid is here to stay. Am glad Japan is realising and now committed to opening up.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

"I will promote bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and growth strategies that would trigger private-sector investment," he said.

"Bold" is a word I never want to hear from these people. It always means "aggressively devalue the people's savings".

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Japan initially enforced an effective ban on the entry of nonresident foreign nationals late last year, 

The ban has been since April 2020 when even foreign residents were not allowed to return. Japan has slightly reopened for one month last November before Rei got again the border due to Omicron.

many Japanese people continue to wear masks even when outdoors, 

personally, always mask off when outdoors

9 ( +13 / -4 )

The world can not keep borders closed forever regardless of Covid. Covid is here to stay! Get vaccinated and expect to catch it at least once in your lifetime.

6 ( +14 / -8 )

When? More talk and no action.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Long overdue. These travel restrictions are no longer useful. Like so much that was done to control the virus they were only partially effective and lasted way too long.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Prior to his meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Kishida called for investment in Japan as he aims to rejuvenate the Japanese economy.

I'm surprised that the article didn't go into much detail on the “Invest in Kishida” speech.

True that with applause, it looked to be around an hour long.

But most of the speech was about Japan. And Japan’s economic recovery.

Hence, more interest.

How you will feel about what Kishida said and his vision for Japan will largely depend upon your political affiliation, your feelings over the current economic situation, over your views of finance and economics, and . . . well, frankly, how your feel about Kishida himself. Not necessarily in that order.

But it is a long speech, so here is a transcript: https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Transcript-Japan-PM-Kishida-s-speech-in-London .

As you are reading the transcript (it’s actually worth reading), here are some things and themes to look for:

The theme of this year's G20 is "Recover Together, Recover Stronger." Japan and the G-20 are all in this together.

Introduction of a "new form of capitalism." “A stronger, more sustainable version of capitalism . . . to solve two crucial present-day challenges.” One is the "problem of economic externalities, such as widening inequality, climate change and issues deriving from urbanization." Second is the problem of authoritarian states. "Liberalism and democracy are under pressure from authoritarian regimes, including some that have achieved rapid economic growth . . . through unfair trade practices and other methods that ignore the rules of a liberal economy. We must make economies in democratic nations sustainable and inclusive in order to defend freedom and democracy.”

“You can invest in Japan with confidence. Invest in Kishida.” “Sustained growth; stable markets; and safe, reliable companies, products and services. This is why Japan is a 'buy.'"

The public sector will "draw out the power of the private sector as much as possible, while the private sector will make greater use of its capabilities to solve social problems that have until now been considered the domain of the public sector.”

“A major challenge for Japan is that . . . wage growth has been low. That has held back consumption and, by extension, overall economic growth. Japan must . . . ensure that wages rise alongside productivity. To do that, the government will introduce tax incentives that encourage employers to increase wages, and work with the private sector to create a social atmosphere in which it is normal and natural for pay to rise.”

“I intend to invest in people [by promoting] a shift from savings to investment . . . I will promote a bold and fundamental shift from savings to investment, in order to double people's incomes from asset investments.”

“In addition to renewable energy, we will utilize nuclear reactors with safety assurances to contribute to worldwide reduction of dependence on Russian energy . . . Japan will achieve its international commitments to carbon neutrality by 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030, while ensuring a stable energy supply. To achieve these goals, 150 trillion yen in new investments will be raised over the next decade through public-private collaboration, including 17 trillion yen in fiscal 2030.”

“Japan has financial assets of 2,000 trillion yen and corporate cash and deposits of 320 trillion yen . . . Investments which the private sector is hesitant to make due to uncertainties, should be elicited and made a pillar of the medium-term growth strategy.”

"[W]e will transform the state of public finances in two ways.” “First is single-year budgeting.” “Secondly . . . introducing incentives such as tax cuts now will lead to increased revenues in the future as the economy accelerates.”

“In order to realise the new form of capitalism. . . we need to revive Japan as an international financial centre.”

“[T]hrough the "Doubling Asset-based Incomes Plan" . . . we will awaken 1,000 trillion yen, currently sitting dormant in savings accounts, so it can work to stimulate the market.”

Visionary? You decide.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

So what does this mean exactly for residents and others who pitch up at the border and are triple jabbed? No more bs to deal with?No more testing on arrival? What?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Time to scrap testing on arrival. It achieves no purpose now, apart from putting off people travelling

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Yes. Time get the suitcase ready. Can’t wait to visit Japan again. Been so long.

As you can see with the unpopularity of this comment, people seem to be all for open borders so they can travel out easily but not outsiders invading their territory.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

I guess that compared with the usual zero consideration being openly discussing how this is going to happen is a step forward.

The problem is the glacial pace that is taking for this to happen. As usual Japan is a few steps behind the world, seeing how it is working for everybody else before doing the same.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

anon99999

Today 12:27 pm JST

Not sure where you get your information.

But I was just at 2 major trade shows in Tokyo this week at one nearly half the booths were from Kyoto many their first time.

All saying the same thing, business is massively down without overseas tourists. They came to the Tokyo shows out of desperation hoping to sell their products, it didn't go well for most because the Tokyo is feeling the same pain.

Go take a walk in Asakusa.

30 years I have lived in the area never have I seen so many vacant ground floor locations, and no takers.

No point in opening anything if you are only going to have to fight over the tiny portion of local residents and a few Japanese tourists that show up during golden week.

I imagine a load of old Oyaji and Baba are fine with closed borders but people still working and with the service industry previously the fastest growing industry most are not so closed minded and out of touch with reality.

Just in there Taito-ku area I watch 12 hotels and 8 hostels shut their doors ( those are only the ones I personally know of) this includes one famous chain that was only surviving because the government was putting quarantine people in their hotels.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

many Japanese people continue to wear masks even when outdoors, 

Because Corona will stay with us forever, japanese people will continue to wear masks forever. Even outdoors.

The media, the politicians, the self nominated experts and all the internet trolls, with all their paranoid and fearmongering nonsens, set the japanese people under a horrible fear for the Corona virus.

1 ( +42 / -41 )

so now lets wait for fax with exact instructions as expected.

dont expect anything sudden as mentioned above-some people will wear masks maybe for forever...

1 ( +14 / -13 )

Has anyone of the posters been to Japan before? When I first came (and never left) in 2003. everybody was wearing masks, same as today.

1 ( +18 / -17 )

Why does the Japanese government always take so incredibly long to get stuff done ?

It's not impressive its frustrating and feeble.

Too slow and too late..

Dragging anchor .

1 ( +19 / -18 )

Kishida says we're all in this together? Yeah, while any Japanese can go freely in and out of the UK, most Brits aren't even allowed anywhere near Japan. Who are earth is going to invest in Japan? And greater reliance on nuclear energy? After what happened in 2011? I wonder how many more months Kishida is going to last?

1 ( +13 / -12 )

That's some good news finally too many people have lost their livelihoods due to the never ending closures and the JGov is never there to assist.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan can do what it likes about its borders but it has consequences.

Burying your collective head in the sand for a dream of safety seems like a fools errand. The mask wearing is just simply 面子 by this point. Wouldn't want to stick your neck out and think for yourself.

The closing of the borders has had a knock-on effect for so many business here that the longer it persists the deep the financial shockwave will run.

The state of Yen should be a warning siren for anybody living in Japan.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Here is my view on stages,

Stage one: open up now to everyone, the yen is low making it a great deal for tourists.

At my mother in law's yesterday I was watch the news as they reported from Hawaii on all the Japanese tourist despite all the restrictions imposed by Japan.

Yes numbers far below pre pandemic but still good despite the low yen and Japanese government restrictions on the numbers of people permitted in daily.

This is now just plain painful to watch as nothing really moves forward.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Bit of luck I'll be spending my wedge in Japanese shops, on trains and in a hotel in autumn... bring it on! :)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

No.

Having a vaccination means JS as long as the virus is all over Japan!

Thinking that what you get in a booster is going to prevent some variant?

Think again.

Prevention and pre-departure tests are the key to international travel not vaccines.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Prior to his meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Kishida called for investment in Japan as he aims to rejuvenate the Japanese economy.

"Invest in Kishida," the Japanese leader told an audience at the City of London, or London's primary financial district.

Hilarious seeing how the borders are still closed to those very people he is asking to invest in Japan!

"Sorry. We won't let you in! Oh! But please invest in our country anyway!"

Unbelievable.

0 ( +20 / -20 )

Talk is oh so very cheap in Japan.

Dead last……..as always Japan.

Kishida, shut it, and just do it.

0 ( +12 / -12 )

The entire tourism industry has been propped up by corporate welfare payments since the beginning of the pandemic. And any workers who claim they’ve lost their livelihoods rather it be unemployed or underemployed…. They just need to visit their local city office . It’s no ones fault but their own if they haven’t apply for Covid relief.

Wow are you out of touch with the facts.

APA has been closing hotels all over, and they were a major beneficiary of government money.

As for visit the city office, what country are you talking about because is sure isnt Japan!

Covid relief! Seriously did you see that in a dream?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

A bunch who were screaming " Shut the border what the heck you are doing morons!! " 2years ago now screaming " Open it! how come it takes this long!"

0 ( +5 / -5 )

All I hear is "Team Kishida, somethin something- do it… fast!" Just doesn't add up.

Let's lookit the math here, ( Team Kishida ) x (something to be done) - No Loot - no Duh! - not his votes = only minus things! And that equals, just hurry up and don't do something.

As for the wolf

And the foreigners arguing for the Olympics to be cancelled only ended up shooting themselves in the foot. Not only did it not cause the cases to spike, trying to ban the event only fueled the rise of Xenophobia and rabid Covid hysteria.

Brings me to the wolfshine. Some big misses here..

it would have been reasonable to assume that Japan would open up to allow international visitors in during an INTERNATIONAL event (like that's the whole point LMAO),

Look harder. Yer missing the big point. The Loot. It was made. Game over and out.

Then we got the gasp terrible Delta variant, which, although being potentially the least deadly major wave in the Covid era, lead to Japan keeping the borders closed,

Diamond Princess Yokohama "circus times" enters the chat.

implementing a nearly year long State of Emergency and banning spectators from the games.

Yes take the Loot… then get to eat it too.

And the foreigners arguing for the Olympics to be cancelled only ended up shooting themselves in the foot. Not only did it not cause the cases to spike, trying to ban the event only fueled the rise of Xenophobia and rabid Covid hysteria.

Huh? Now I'm thinkin, whose payroll are you on? This part smells… like a Looter's coat pocket

Then we get to November. After announcing students and business travelers would finally be allowed in under very strict conditions after a year and a half, it only took two weeks for Kishida to panic and reverse course just like his predecessor when Omicron hit. Not only that but they wasted billions of dollars on a vaccine passport app that effectively has no use.

Arite! back on track. Wasted? Wasn't it just the plan the whole time? Tax paid billions, to my Loot buddies and stashed away for private spending. hey, Wanna take a wild guess who voted for it?

So no. I refuse to believe that they will keep their word. Japan, although not instituting a full lockdown or vaccine mandate, has unfortunately become just another country dominated by Clownvid hysteria.

You wanna know what to believe, just do the math follow the Loot.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The photo appears to show Johnson in his element entertaining a poker-faced Kishida with yet another of his trade-mark porkies. Kishida, we can assume, has been well briefed on Johnson's theatrics of flailing his arms and sputtering nonsense and non sequiturs. Judging from his wound up posture, the cool Kishida is apparently not amused by his host's world-beating bufoonery.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

Boris Johnson looks a mess, that suit appears to have been lived in for months. The shoes could have seen at least 45 minutes on a football pitch. a deranged Bertie Wooster.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Hopefully all foreign entries will be required to double vaxx and booster before entry.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

@WhiskeyGalore: Hopefully everyone including Japanese are...

If you are double (or more) jabbed you don't need to quarantine anymore as long as you show a recent test, your vacination certificate, install the tracking app on your phone (don't down vote me for this I also agree this sucks) and wear a mask.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"The yen's sharp depreciation has become a headache for resource-poor Japan."

When then maybe don't intentionally devalue it, morons!

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

You know, Johnson was presented with a opportunity that few Prime Minsters could ever wished for, only to flush it down the U bend of history. What a W

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Antique saving

it is not me advocating the government doesn’t open up for tourists, It is the government policy whether one agrees or not.

Various people and places are suffering economically from this but the government has chosen its path irrespective of the economic damage. They obviously feel that the public in general supports this way and that it works better for them. As I said in the pursuit of power governments don’t even care about doing what is best for the economy,

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It means, after all other nations cancel every Corona measures, let's say 6 months after that Japan will increase daily amount of 5000 people to enter Japan everyday to 5400, and monitor it 3 monts before next move.

Unbelievable this over 60 Ojisan politicians...

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Its not just socially and nationally acceptable to watch what other nations do and then implement it slowly, it has now become the norm.

Not to be surprised in the worlds oldest nation :)

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

Seesaw7Today  04:09 pm JST

No tourists yet, please !

OK are you ready to help pay my experiences, those of my friends many of whom depend on tourism?

If not then please your closed minded view is not important.

If you believe so much in closed borders then please come and pay a few of our bills!

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@anon99999

Suggests they read that most people don't care about the issue or even prefer them kept out

Its not possible that anyone knows what "most people" think or care about this issue.

That's precisely my point.

Perhaps if a legitimate survey was conducted where everyone was asked then we would know what most feel.

Nothing is as it seems to be and especially if assumed.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Actually, the evidence, available at least to date and time, shows without marked exception that Kishida and Foreign Minister Hayashi functioned very well on their state visits. And they were well received by the leaders and the majority opinions of the press.

As we know FM Hayashi visited Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, while the PM visited Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Italy, the Holy See, and the U.K. Hayashi is next set to visit Fiji and Palau.

Overall, Japan is better off for these efforts.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

according to article we may expect to get free again around Xmas 2022?I am referring to easing border controls and steps related-Japan may be last country in the world.

anyway lets enjoy nice summer season in Japan than.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

"I will promote bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and growth strategies that would trigger private-sector investment," he said.

too funny! we all know being flexible is not Japan's forte!

and his growth strategies? this is his plan:

1) direct a greater share of corporate earnings to workers through incentives that “fundamentally strengthen our support within the tax code” for companies that raise wages.

2) expand the middle class and counter the declining birthrate by providing more financial aid for educational expenses and bolstering “support for families with small children,” such as by improving childcare services.

3) increase “the income of those working at facilities providing medical nursing, elderly care, childcare services and the like” by reviewing the “public prices” on which their incomes have been based.

to sum it up, his plan is basically to increase the wealth of the middle class and hoping they will spend more to boost the economy...

the problem is, how do we know they will spend it and not save for the rainy days and this is going to put the govt deeper in debt (increase spending to support families and reduced corp taxes)!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@factchecker

it means that you are subject to a lot of arbitrary rules!

@gogogo

Being double jabbed (fully vaccinated) means a quarantine period.

The officers from the Quarantine Office are looking for a booster even if your last injection was a couple of weeks back.

How nonsensical is that?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Hopefully all foreign entries will be required to double vaxx and booster before entry.

Children too?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Woohoo! Get ready Japan here we come!

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

Yes. Time get the suitcase ready. Can’t wait to visit Japan again. Been so long.

-4 ( +9 / -13 )

Monty - Because Corona will stay with us forever, japanese people will continue to wear masks forever. Even outdoors.

TokyoJoe - Regarding masks, Japanese people have to be told not to wear them and they are not necessary. Like Monty says, unless people are told directly they will continue wearing them forever like an obedient child, regardless of logic.

Kitchener Leslie - As others have said, Japanese people will be wearing masks forever. It will take celebrities or politicians telling them they don’t need to wear them anymore in order for them to stop.

Sadly, masks are a part of the Japanese uniform now, just like suits and neckties.

Surgical masks have always been a part of the "Japanese uniform", especially during cold/flu and pollen seasons. Not to the extent they are during these two years+ of Covid. But, most definitely in widespread use for many decades.

Yoyogi59 - Has anyone of the posters been to Japan before? When I first came (and never left) in 2003. everybody was wearing masks, same as today.

Exactly! There's even a scene in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice where a would-be Japanese assassin is wearing one, and Bond dons one to disguise himself.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Kishida is trying his best to have his cake and eat it too. By hedging on the exact timeline for properly reopening he buys time for his own election prospects while seeming to placate the U.K. and other G7 members that must be pressuring him to reciprocate with the tourist issue. Fortunately for Kishida, Johnson needs his support for the Ukraine conflict and can’t exactly play hardball. If it was up to me, I would refuse all Japanese tourists into the U.K. until reciprocation was offered. The arrogance of the Japanese is mind-blowing.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

I have so many questions: why June? Why not now? What measures will be eased exactly and how? And for whom? What about the wearing of masks? Come summer it'll be intolerable to wear them.

This all feels like all talk and no action. I'll believe it when I see it.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

"I will promote bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and growth strategies that would trigger private-sector investment," he said.

Doesn’t Kishida know that the past tense is much better than the future?

And where does all the money that Japan has go?

Out of Japan to be invested!

Recently, Kishida has gone through too many time zones and his brain is getting fogged up…

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

They need to open the border soon. It’s sad to see the fear and paranoia that’s now endemic here just Covid. I’ve just returned after 20 years away and it’s currently like a zombie dystopian movie. What happened to the samurai spirit? Get over yourselves!

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

The majority of Japanese do not care very much if overseas tourists are allowed in or not, unless of course they had a business that was making money from them. (They Japanese can still travel to any country if they want and it is not their problem whether this is reciprocal or not ) 

Particularly in place like Kyoto etc, many are probably even pretty happy they cannot come in, as life was becoming unpleasant with so many foreign tourists around. Also people must be aware that foreign tourists will not comply with the wearing mask everywhere anytime of Japan, as it is scrapped now in their own countries, and this could create unpleasantness to the harmony of Japanese life, not following the accepted Japanese norms.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

I saw an interview with some souvenir shop owners on TV stating they have lost 70% of their business due to lack of foreign visitors, even with an increase in domestic travellers over the golden week. With each day that the country keeps the covid doors locked, the country is just sliding further and further into irrelevance.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

Good to see Kishida, yet again not wearing a mask and showing Japanese people to not be so submissive.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

All words... blah blah blah....

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

No tourists until after the elections.

And make mask-wearing a condition of entry.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

I have little confidence in this. Japan has shown time and time again that they will not follow through with normalization especially when they tell us they have a plan to open up "in stages".

Prior to the Olympics, it would have been reasonable to assume that Japan would open up to allow international visitors in during an INTERNATIONAL event (like that's the whole point LMAO), especially considering the recent release of the hyped up mRNA vaccines, which Japan was about to roll out in full speed. Then we got the gasp terrible Delta variant, which, although being potentially the least deadly major wave in the Covid era, lead to Japan keeping the borders closed, implementing a nearly year long State of Emergency and banning spectators from the games. And the foreigners arguing for the Olympics to be cancelled only ended up shooting themselves in the foot. Not only did it not cause the cases to spike, trying to ban the event only fueled the rise of Xenophobia and rabid Covid hysteria.

Then we get to November. After announcing students and business travelers would finally be allowed in under very strict conditions after a year and a half, it only took two weeks for Kishida to panic and reverse course just like his predecessor when Omicron hit. Not only that but they wasted billions of dollars on a vaccine passport app that effectively has no use.

So no. I refuse to believe that they will keep their word. Japan, although not instituting a full lockdown or vaccine mandate, has unfortunately become just another country dominated by Clownvid hysteria. There will always be another booster shot rollout. There will always be another state of emergency. There will always be another travel ban. These people literally can't help themselves.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

anon99999

Its not physically possible that you have talked to the majority of Japanese in whether or not they are in favor or not of overseas tourists visiting Japan.

And there's no accurate survey to prove your claim.

And there's no compliance regulation to mask wearing or mandate .

And exuse me for pointing out that being prejudice or xenophobic of foreigners isn't a harmonious lifestyle.

Double standards aren't helping Japan's international situation issues or economy.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

First remove the daily Cap - therefore also having to remove testing on arrival by default. A pre-flight test from departure point 48 HOURS before to allow boarding, but simplify the verification process. Triple Vaccinated. Let's try that for starters come June. Children under 12 exempt.

Lets try this with Citizens/Residents and those with family in Japan first (and of course those who have a COE in hand for study/work etc). If all good, then tourists back in from September.

The airports / airlines have cut so many staff that Narita is already completely chaotic from 2-7 pm departure side - and no, I am not referring to the even more chaotic incoming traffic at that time which is specific to Narita. Staff need to be rehired and retrained.

No Vax = No Entry. No Re-Entry.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

The media, the politicians, the self nominated experts and all the internet trolls, with all their paranoid and fearmongering nonsens, set the japanese people under a horrible fear for the Corona virus.

The same fear-mongering was everywhere. It is the Japanese society that should be held accountable at this point when other countries have moved on and normalized (to the old normal) months ago.

-8 ( +19 / -27 )

Further easing of border control in June .

Ok...but why no details?

What grandiose plan ?

Another whoopie cushion announcement !

I don't believe that the magnificent Kishida is pioneering a new type of capitalism in Japan and for the best interests of the world.

Looks more like Japan is a imperialistic dictatorship that's masquerading as a democracy.

I don't see Kishida's plans as being flexible and quite the opposite actually.

Announcement of a decision then changing it in a sidestepping ,backstop, dithering circular zigzag forward motion isn't very encouraging.

Its like Kishida just got finished telling his other countries visited he would make investments then turns around asking for money from the UK because the yen is worthless monopoly money.

-8 ( +12 / -20 )

Kishida is trying his best to have his cake and eat it too. By hedging on the exact timeline for properly reopening he buys time for his own election prospects while seeming to placate the U.K. and other G7 members that must be pressuring him to reciprocate with the tourist issue. Fortunately for Kishida, Johnson needs his support for the Ukraine conflict and can’t exactly play hardball. If it was up to me, I would refuse all Japanese tourists entry into the U.K. until reciprocation was offered.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Kyo wa……..

I am not endorsing but the fact the government does not allow tourists in and may not for many months to come, suggests they read that most people don’t care about the issue or even prefer them kept out. Personally I don’t think this is good or enhances japans international standing or the economy either but that doesn’t change what is or what the government is doing and will continue to do. As has been seen worldwide governments in pursuit of power don’t particularly care about international status or even better economic policies.

As for masks there is no laws about it but hordes of foreign tourists visiting places without masks is not going to go down well under the current social norms of Japan. You must live in another country if you think this will work out just because it is not a law

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

No tourists yet, please !

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Meanwhile after a rather daunting globetrotting visits to previously invaded nations Kishida the grand whazoo of snake oil salesman unveils his grandiose plan in a lengthy soapbox sermon speech lecture extravaganza.

Will this circus act wizard truly be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat ?

Stay tuned for more unbelievable extraordinary flabbergasting announcements.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

Nihon Torah

In reality you don't personally know why many Japanese people wear masks.

Because it's physically impossible that you've asked everyone.

Before the pandemic my wife wears a mask frequently because it's warmer for her and nothing at all to do with the common cold or anything else.

And iam sorry but quite frequently i see Japanese people taking of their masks to openly sneeze or frequently coughing without covering their mouths.

Having lived in multiple countries before arriving in Japan almost a decade ago iam still disgusted at how often i see japanese nationals coughing or sneezing in public without covering their mouths and cigarette smoking literally everywhere.

Simply not true that japanese are immensely considerate of others in public.

-10 ( +11 / -21 )

All readers back on topic please. The story is about easing border controls, not wearing masks.

Financially, there is no reason to open the borders at this time. The weak yen is great for Japan Inc . Resource poor Japan imports next to nothing that makes the economy move . As long as Toyota, Honda , Nissan , Mitsubishi, and Hitachi are Japanese companies … the weak yen drives up their profits on the export markets. Not to mention that Japan is the worlds tire company as well . The weak yen is hurting residents of Japan . Not big business. The entire tourism industry has been propped up by corporate welfare payments since the beginning of the pandemic. And any workers who claim they’ve lost their livelihoods rather it be unemployed or underemployed…. They just need to visit their local city office . It’s no ones fault but their own if they haven’t apply for Covid relief. Japan does not need foreign tourists for anything. But when they finally do start to relax the border controls, it will be based on sound science. Not a bunch of “I wants.”

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Wearing mask is none of your business

-16 ( +5 / -21 )

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