People walk in front of a screen showing the news on the U.S. warning against visits to Japan, in Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: APEugene Hoshiko
tokyo 2020 olympics

Japan sees no impact on Olympics from U.S. travel advisory

62 Comments
By Elaine Lies and Sakura Murakami

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62 Comments
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Nothing to see here.... “REMAIN CALM! ALL IS WELL!”(Fom Animal House)

36 ( +36 / -0 )

I got this mail from the Embassy literally the moment I commented above. I submit it for its comedic timing.

Updated Travel Advisory for Japan 

On May 25, the Department of State raised the Travel Advisory for Japan to level four, “do not travel.” This adjustment was based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Advisory can be read here.  U.S. citizens are strongly discouraged from traveling to Japan. 

>

26 ( +26 / -0 )

Really? Because foreigners havnt been able to enter for over a year?

No impact now, but wait until after the olympics...

15 ( +16 / -1 )

No, a brain is needed to evaluate correctly that this has an impact even if only imagewise.

no brains were available on the assembly line for the bureaucrats running this country.

, luckily a lot of sawdust was in stock

31 ( +31 / -0 )

Ostrich/sand

31 ( +31 / -0 )

Japan sees no impact on Olympics from U.S. travel advisory

Well, if the government is so oblivious can't even see an impact from 12,000 of its own citizens dead and its medical system being pushed past the breaking point then yeah, I can see why it wouldn't consider a travel advisory having an impact either.

At this point a meteorite could vaporize the Olympic stadium and they'd still be telling us everything was okie-dokie.

31 ( +32 / -1 )

Japan is living in a dream world.

30 ( +30 / -0 )

REALLY? No impact? What are you going to do if the US team decides to "listen" to the advisory and not come?

24 ( +26 / -2 )

Just friggin' hold the Olympics without spectators. It's the sports I want to see, not the fans.

-21 ( +4 / -25 )

The Japanese government is playing a very dangerous game! Their nation is a high risk zone but keen to do such a senseless thing! I think they were extremely selfish!

13 ( +17 / -4 )

I want to see the opening ceremony, that’s going to be icing on the cake.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

Of course.....If there is no affect...if COVID itself hasn't stop this suicide mission then banning travel will not.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Shocking...............hey Japan, despite what you're thinking, that you are a major player in the world, other countries have more important issues to worry about, instead of the olympics or the joke of a prime minister at the helm.

Actually your own country has more important issues as well, like corona and the soon to be, said future ex-prime minister.

Step into reality Japan, the only people really interested in this is your gov't and the IOC. Everyone else couldn't give a single damn, whether the olympics takes place or not, or your travel bans.

Just get the vax roll out, that should number 1 and number 2, number 3 to number 100 on your priority list.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Of course it has no effect as no Americans can come into Japan anyhow, except those that live here or the Olympic team, hanger ons , IOC officials and guests, dignitaries and media, and they are all exempt from any quarantine or advisories anyhow for the Olympics.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Takahide Kiuchi, an executive economist at Nomura Research Institute and a previously a board member of the Bank of Japan stated that if the Olympics turns into a super-spreader event and another SOE has to be enacted, the financial costs will exceed the $16Billion that Japan stands to lose if the Olympics are simply canceled outright.

From the below article, ""These calculations suggest that the decision of whether to hold or cancel the Games should be made from the perspective of infection risk rather than economic loss," he concluded."

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/japans-losses-covid-19-curbs-072532252.html

3 ( +3 / -0 )

During the last years before covid-19, tourists from the States counted only for about 5.5 % out of all international arrivals. Not really a very significant number anyway. If they come or not, up to them, I see not so much difference. However likely it is safer in Japan than in USA, if you look up the present number of infected people and the reported deaths in both countries.

718.864 infections in Japan vs. 33.922.937 infections in USA,

12.344 deaths in Japan vs. 604.416 death in USA....

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Is this advice also aimed at Americans who work at the military bases in Japan and Americans who are residents of Japan?

I find it just as strange that Japan bans visitors from HK, Australia and NZ when these places have the pandemic under control and it's not unusual for them to have near-zero daily positive cases. Who knows, maybe it's to protect these people from getting the virus in Japan. Very thoughtful of the government.

Yohan:

718.864 infections in Japan vs. 33.922.937 infections in USA,

12.344 deaths in Japan vs. 604.416 death in USA....

Very nice of you to give us the total numbers over the past 1.5 years.

What's the situation now? Per capita, I don't think even the 'official' stats from Japan look so stellar. And the US numbers are decreasing as vaccinations are increasing.

But nice try.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Head in sand syndrome

7 ( +7 / -0 )

cricky:

I want to see the opening ceremony, that’s going to be icing on the cake.

Abe Shinzo in a Mario costume and wearing an Abenomask, tap-dancing. That's all.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

It's not like Americans, or anyone else, is flocking here in droves anyhow, but surely it's a sign that the US doesn't view Japan as safe, so how can holding the Olympics be safe??? 100K+ athletes and officials cannot be contained, especially when the Olympic officials view themselves so highly and think they can get away with anything.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Ignorance is bad, Denial is worse, Hypocrisy is the worst.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Japan sees no impact on Olympics from U.S. travel advisory

I dont know what that is supposed to mean... have they not decided to shut the border for visitors anyway? So what does a US travel advisory have to do with anything?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Being unwilling to lose the trillions of yen from broadcast rights, accommodation income, souvenirs, etc. that cancelling the Olympics would occasion, Japan is rumoured to be considering holding them, but without athletes.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Reality hasn't had an impact on the Olympics for a while now.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Pukey2Today 06:13 pm JST

Is this advice also aimed at Americans who work at the military bases in Japan and Americans who are residents of Japan?

The US-military bases are not counted as Japanese territory.

Yohan:

718.864 infections in Japan vs. 33.922.937 infections in USA,

12.344 deaths in Japan vs. 604.416 death in USA....

Very nice of you to give us the total numbers over the past 1.5 years.

*What's the situation now? Per capita,** I don't think even the 'official' stats from Japan look so stellar. And the US numbers are decreasing as vaccinations are increasing.*

No problem, as far as I see today, plenty of information on the internet.

BTW, in Japan the number of patients is also decreasing and vaccinations are increasing...

Japanese source: 日本呼吸療法医学会 Japanese Society of Respiratory Care Medicine

63.779 acute cases in Japan (last count 2021-05-24 19:37)

US source: (Our WorldinData)

(worldometers.info) 5.754.591 acute cases in USA May 24th, 2021

Daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases per million people, May 24, 2021

in USA 75.16 vs Japan 38.17

Daily new confirmed COVID-19 deaths per million people, May 24, 2021

deaths in USA 1.72 vs. Japan 0.86

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

The U.S. State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory and guidance for Japan on Monday did not mention the Olympics specifically but warned against visiting the country now.

It seems to me regular sightseers only Do Not Travel to Japan. Athletes just go to games and go back home soon after done. They don't fool around Tokyo for days.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

@Yohan

I am not going to compare the USA or any other place.

But we had several articles about people not being able to get into hospitals others on problems getting tested.

In Japan it is near impossible to get tested in a public health centre, just look at the numbers, every weekend the testing drops dramatically as private testing drops.

So people without the money for expensive private testing and unable to get public testing are not counted.

My daughter's friend cares for his disabled bother, who has been sick for over a week, now he is also sick.

He tried all last week to get his brother tested and the public health centres wouldn't.

On Friday he paid for private testing and the results came back yesterday and his disabled bother has covid, he to is sick probably covid but cannot afford to pay for a private test for himself.

He had been trying to get his brother into a hospital and no luck.

So basically a Covid positive disabled man is in his home sick with another sick person caring for him and the other cannot get tested so will never show up on Japan's covid stats.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The US is very concerned about Indian coronavirus spreading. If some Americans were infected with Indian variant and went home, present Pfizer, Moderna,,,, vaccines may not work and US may face another pandemic again.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This year and last the world has been experimenting with skating, swimming, rugby, soccer matches, Sumo tournaments, diving events, baseball, F1, IndyCar, basketball, marathons, even discos, and with stadiums empty, half-full, etc., to see what can and what cannot be practically done. The Olympics will have been in the back of everyone's minds.

It's a gamble, true, but with a lot of goodwill, and under mutually understood and respected restrictions, it should not be any more difficult than any or all of those events above.

So c'mon Prime Minister Suga and your team, put your shoulders to the wheel and get this baby rolling!!!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

"Japan sees no impact" ... on many things sadly.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

AntiquesavingToday 07:37 pm JST

@Yohan

I am not going to compare the USA or any other place.

But we had several articles about people not being able to get into hospitals others on problems getting tested.

In Japan it is near impossible to get tested in a public health centre, just look at the numbers, every weekend the testing drops dramatically as private testing drops.

So people without the money for expensive private testing and unable to get public testing are not counted.

Not sure what you mean exactly. If you want to be tested, you can buy a test kit for Yen 3.800,- (USD 35,-) at a supermarket or pharmacy here in Japan. For what do you need a hospital or health center?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Not sure what you mean exactly. If you want to be tested, you can buy a test kit for Yen 3.800,- (USD 35,-) at a supermarket or pharmacy here in Japan. For what do you need a hospital or health center?

Not sure where you get your information from but those kits are not accepted by the government in anyway.

Not in the total numbers, not in the event of being positive and getting medical care.

NOTE: if you are going to quote someone Use the Quotation option or use at least quotation marks.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Japan's borders are already closed anyway so this US travel advisory is meaningless.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@kwatt

But the vaccines are effective against the Indian variant

And the Indian variant has not been shown to be more deadly than any other or has it?

In India the fungal infections inhabiting the lungs are most likely a result of the the dire pollution in Indian towns and cities which is prevalent.

The number of deaths in the UK where the Indian variant is also present have not seen the same number of deaths.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

At present, we can see no particular impact,

You would have to be willfully blind to make that statement.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Well we have the same travel advice for Japan too…no surprises really given their numbers. It prevented me from going up there in July for work.

Come on Japan kick it into gear a bit!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I will not engage in the chest pounding about which country did better than the other as it is not relevant at all. We are talking about the current state of Japan and the idea about holding the Olympic games which will bring around 70,000 athletes, coaches, support staff, and journalists to Japan. Not all of which will be vaccinated and not all of which will be subject to the same rules.

For those who think Japan has done well so far in containing the virus (some seem to think that) then why would Japan want to risk this? Why bring people from virtually all countries on earth to Japan during a Pandemic?

For those who think the virus is not that bad then it would be wise to ask those who have had relatives or friends die at home because there were not adequate ICU beds available.

For those who think it is some kind of "Japan pride" to hold the games: Imagine what the damage would be to the health of Japanese citizens, the economy and the reputation of Japan if this turns into a superspreader event.

In the end the selfishness and the pig headedness of the disgusting IOC narcissists who will not have to even consieer the aftermath of holding the games is beyond belief. These are evil people with no conscience or concern for their fellow human beings.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

During the last years before covid-19, tourists from the States counted only for about 5.5 % out of all international arrivals. Not really a very significant number anyway. If they come or not, up to them, I see not so much difference. However likely it is safer in Japan than in USA, if you look up the present number of infected people and the reported deaths in both countries.

718.864 infections in Japan vs. 33.922.937 infections in USA,

12.344 deaths in Japan vs. 604.416 death in USA....

This is called deflecting.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

During the last years before covid-19, tourists from the States counted only for about 5.5 % out of all international arrivals. Not really a very significant number anyway. If they come or not, up to them, I see not so much difference. However likely it is safer in Japan than in USA, if you look up the present number of infected people and the reported deaths in both countries.

718.864 infections in Japan vs. 33.922.937 infections in USA,

12.344 deaths in Japan vs. 604.416 death in USA....

This is called deflecting.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

AntiquesavingToday 08:33 pm JST

Not sure where you get your information from but those kits are not accepted by the government in anyway.

Not in the total numbers, not in the event of being positive and getting medical care.

NOTE: if you are going to quote someone Use the Quotation option or use at least quotation marks.

OK, thanks for suggestion to use this Quotation option.

I was thinking you merely want to know if you are infected or not despite you feel OK. For that any test-kit for around USD 35,- will be fine, also online and cheaper from Amazon-Japan various covid-19 test-kits are available.

Of course if you need a medical certificate to travel abroad etc. you will have to contact any private clinic for a medical certificate. Ridiculously overpriced, I have seen fees up to yen 45.000,- and for travel to China up to yen 88.000.-. That's crazy.

A good reason for me to wait it out and stay in Japan and I do not consider to travel to abroad now.

However, if you feel bad, really sick with fever or breathing problems etc. and you have the Japanese National Insurance, you can just call the covid-hotline and IF positive confirmed, your medical fees will be very small. My family has also additional insurance and therefore in case of illness, medical fees are not a big issue for us.

So far however nobody of our family members in Okayama and Tokyo/Yokohama was infected with covid-19 so far.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If you keep tour eyes closed you won’t see a thing. Unfortunately wishing doesn’t make reality go away and eventually you have to open your eyes. In any other country the electorate and media would force them open and would have long ago. Unfortunately I don’t see that happening in Japan

Tokyo-Engr, agreed.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

OK. Good. The no problem then.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

No Olympics, no problems.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Even being July , July 23 , Japan is still amid of the state of emergency !!

Might to be done the state of emergency for over a year certainly !!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Japan sees no impact on Olympics from U.S. travel advisory"

Because it has its head in the sand.

The US warned its citizens about Japan's handling of the pandemic more than a year ago. This advisory is well-thought out, and well-worth it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Crazy question on JT.

Is it possible to host the Olympics and be safe?

What if Japan manage to do exactly just that?

I see a lot of negativity on here and Japan bashing: guess what, you could be 100% wrong.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Hold the games next year, everybody will hopefully be vaccinated by then. But this year is insane.....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Just thought about this.

Is it possible some people in the government wants the Olympics to take place so they can BLAME the surge in infections on the games ? Think about it!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Blind(IOC) Leading The Blind(JOC)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

AntiquesavingMay 25 11:30 pm JST

@Yohan

Either you didn't read my original comment, are deliberately ignoring or trying to muddy the facts.

It is not important, but I guess you also missed the reports of NO space in hospitals in Japan and if you could you need an official covid test which most cannot get.

You can get anytime an official covid test, but you have to pay for it out of your own wallet.

No space in ALL hospitals in Japan? Not true. This is only the case at this moment in the large cities of Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and also in Hokkaido and Okinawa - but surely not in other areas in Japan.

The total number of Covid-19 reserved beds today is 68.559 for 62.347 patients. 

More than 6212 beds are available, as often patients with mild symptoms prefer to pay for a stay in a quarantine business hotel.

Keep in mind, that the situation about covid-19 patients is not the same everywhere in Japan. In Tottori-ken (lowest occupancy) only 35 beds out of 653 covid-19 designated beds are occupied with patients, this is 5.3 % only - 94.7 % = 618 beds are empty, entire hospital floors without patients.

Even in Chiba, next to Tokyo, only 1184 beds out of 2329 reserved for covid-19 are in use, 49.2 % = 1145 beds empty.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The advisory says, do not travel to Japan.

Not just Tokyo, the entire Country.

What more will it take, stadiums full of Dead people, waiting to be buried.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

MarkToday 01:51 am JST

Just thought about this.

Is it possible some people in the government wants the Olympics to take place so they can BLAME the surge in infections on the games ? Think about it!!

Interesting thought, but so far, covid-19 infections are declining almost everywhere in Japan, there is no surge at this moment. Today there are 62.347 patients out of 126 million people.

I am not so sure if Japan even can cancel the Olympics so easily now, ignoring the Olympic Committee which is insisting the Games should take place.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

That idea has already been expressed here. The 80% of the Japanese who are now against the Olympics would line up to get tickets to see the Olympics live. The entire country wants the Olympics here because it is their last chance at some glory.

They won't admit it outwardly.

But if the Olympics are ti be cancelled not one Japanese institution or person wants any responsibility for it and so they are seeking a proxy upon which to put the blame.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

kwattMay 25  08:07 pm JST

The US is very concerned about Indian coronavirus spreading. If some Americans were infected with Indian variant and went home, present Pfizer, Moderna,,,, vaccines may not work and US may face another pandemic again.

More likely a resurgence of the current strains is more likely as Americans are not getting their second shots. Then add the Indian variant on top and that should start another wave.

This notice is to also help other nations put up similar steps and help the decision to cancel the Olympic games. Tokyo just won't take the hint and is just being obstinate .

1 ( +1 / -0 )

USA's newly infected numbers are much higher than Japans so it is good for Japan that they advise their citizens not to come to Japan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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