Zizi comments

I'm glad this slow-butt turtle govt. has finally abolished the group tour, visa, and cap for foreign tourists. Japan not taking advantage of the weak yen is utterly stupid.

If the Yen wasn't so weak, do you think the government would have opened the borders?

I must say I am a tad surprised to read people against this incentive. Tourism needs a boost and I will do my duty and help them.

Maybe it's not the incentive people are against, but the people who have to post how happy they are/that they're going to take advantage etc etc. It might be the culture of boasting that irritates others?

I say enjoy yourselves if you can. Being back home in Europe has been wonderful compared to the last few years of Japan hiding itself away from the world politically, but Japanese people doing what they want abroad without a care in the world.

It's nice that foreign visitors to Japan will have the same rights. So what if some people don't like them being there. There are plenty of Europeans who don't particularly like the Japanese tourists, either.

Good news.

However, Prime Minister Kishida seems to love an event/a scenario where he can be the centre of attention.

Flying to NY for this event, but then using it as a platform for his own publicity. Really a show off. It's as if he thinks he should be congratulated on this decision, when for months and months, he's made it problematic for people from other counties to enter Japan in a normal, hassle free way.

Incredible, but oh so predictable, also.

Do they really have to say this? Like a fellow poster pointed out, this is the country that had the highest infection rates in the world not so long ago.

If foreign guests were being asked to wear masks to prevent being infected, I could understand. But the whole thing comes across as Japan looking prejudiced towards people from other nations.

To monitor damage?

Mr Kishida is an irresponsible man. He seems to spend more time visiting other nations with his mask off, in my opinion.

Certainly he isn't taken seriously here in Europe.

I may be completely wrong, but once the numbers in Tokyo started spiralling out of control, and the government felt ashamed by their worldwide record, didn't they stop counting most cases?

This kid needs some serious discipline.

Agreed. What on earth was he thinking? Mini hoodlum

Goodness me. Revolting!

Japanese government plans to lessen tourist restrictions end of Sept/early Oct - not looking forward to it at all.

My apologies, I didn't intend to offend.

However, selfish and rude not to wear a mask in Japan? From seeing plenty of photos from Japanese homestayers here in Denmark, it seems a decent number of their friends and family aren't wearing masks back in Japan or at least wearing them correctly (ie over the nose)

Also, why you aren't looking forward to tourists coming back in? There are plenty of Japanese tourists having a great time here in Europe and also this seemed to be the case when I was in California last month. Everyone should enjoy the same freedoms no? What makes Japan so special?

I think England is much safer than Japan currently, regarding COVID. I never thought I'd write those words, but here in Denmark, people are definitely wary about holidays in Japan at present because of how prevalent covid is there

I'm glad he is there paying respects to the Queen, but why does he wear a mask in Japan but not in England?

Maybe because covid is far more rampant in Japan and he has more chance of being infected?

Unfortunately North Korea has zero respect for and fear of Japan.

How sad this lady must feel. I can't imagine it

So very sad.

Seems to happen far too often in Japan.

How long before rest of the sekai follows them as usual?

Apologies if I've misunderstood, but is this a joke? When have the rest of the world followed Japan?

I don't think the UK would want Kishida-san and his government people anywhere near the Queen's funeral.

Kishida-san loves attending events.

the best city in the world !!..

'Lol' indeed

Surely the patrols should be increased near the funeral venue in Tokyo?

Agreed @Aly.

The good life!

"of late"...? How "of late"? Mind giving us time specifics and statistics? Or is your comment based on subjective perception?

Ok. Recently when I've logged into this site, there have been a lot of news stories of a similar theme.

Not a large amount of need for you to be so aggressive.

As someone that no longer lives in Japan, is it really true that Coronavirus is rampant all over Japan and that Japan has the highest infection rates in the world???!

Hate to break it to you Japan, but you have not kept Covid in check in the past couple months while being closed to foreign travelers.

> Stop dog whistling about foreigners being responsible for spreading Covid!

This is a great point.

This is very sad.

Seems to be a common news story in Japan of late

Curious to know what those 'features' would be. I tried but can't really think of any.

I can't think of many, either @letsberealistic

I like Japan very much, and enjoyed my time living there. But I definitely wouldn't recommend going there to study or live to my teenage daughters!

I think it's a great idea to just open up as most of the world seems to have done.

I've no idea why Japan has been slow and so strict.

Equality is the only way forward. Here in Denmark, there are quite a few Japanese students and homestayers, and they love that Europe is so free regarding things like mask use.

He would be welcomed, definitely.

Kishida-san, maybe not so much.

How traumatising for the young lady

I hope she feels ok soon.

pathetic quality of education

I don't think America has a pathetic quality of education at all.

As for child abuse numbers here, these are worrying and sad numbers.