Japan Travel, COVID-19, And You: Tourism Information & Pandemic News Update Thread – January 2022

##**January 2022 – With the emergence of the Omicron variant, Japan has again closed their borders to entry** [**for the foreseeable future.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/fd653475de35-japan-to-keep-strict-border-rules-till-feb-amid-omicron-spread.html) [**Tourism entry will continue to be suspended until further notice – we do not anticipate tourism restarting within the next 3 – 6 months at minimum.**](https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/) **Discussion is closed until a clear and official timetable to Tourism Reopening (specific dates/timelines) is announced by the Japanese Government through official channels.**

##**Frequently Asked Questions on Tourism Entry – January 2022**

**”Should I buy tickets for tourism later in 2022?”**

>- **There is no confirmation at this time on when the borders will reopen. We do not advise booking non-refundable tickets until a formal announcement has been made regarding the opening of borders to tourism worldwide.**

**”What if the borders don’t open in time for my previously booked flight?”**

>- **If you have already booked a flight [(**March and April 2022 appear to be off the table as of this writing – May & June 2022 is very much up in the air as a result**)](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/fd653475de35-japan-to-keep-strict-border-rules-till-feb-amid-omicron-spread.html), we advise you to carefully look over the refund/rebooking policy with the airline you purchased your tickets with. If you have booked tickets that are non-refundable or cannot be moved, please contact your airline for further questions or concerns.**

**”Will Japan reopen for tourism to those who have already been fully vaccinated against the virus?”**

>- **Currently, the answer is no.** [**Vaccine status is likely to affect entry in the future – approved vaccines are currently listed as Moderna, Pfizer, and Astra-Zeneca with J&J not yet approved for tourism entry.**](https://archive.ph/CORwL#selection-2463.0-2463.244) **There is no word yet on any other vaccine types being accepted by the Government, and no specific framework has been detailed for Tourism Entry.**

**”What about entry procedures for tourism? Will quarantine still be in place when the borders re-open?”**

>- **Steps for entry have yet to be determined, but quarantine for vaccinated individuals is not expected to be required. However, this will be decided completely at the sole discretion of the Japanese Government and we cannot predict what specifically will be done when the borders are open again.**

##**Frequently Asked Questions on Non-Tourism Entry – January 2022**

**”I am arriving in Japan for a stopover while on the way to another country, what do I do?”**

>- **Transit through Japan is ONLY possible through [Narita Airport,](https://www.narita-airport.jp/en) [Haneda Airport,](https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/index.html) or [Kansai Airport](https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/) at this time. At no time are you allowed to depart the airport after arriving via flight from another country, regardless of the length of your stopover – to do so will subject you to mandatory quarantine measures before you would be able to continue your journey, at your sole expense. Further questions or concerns should be directed to your airline.**

**”I need more information as a New Entrant for work or school, where should I post?”**

>- **Please go to /r/movingtojapan for information, as Omicron has closed the borders again until the end of February 2022 – at minimum. As we only handle tourism entry here, we have no information otherwise.**

**”I need more information on re-entry as a resident with Omicron restrictions, where should I post?”**

>- **Please start with your Embassy in regards to the permissions required in order to enter at this time. As we only handle tourism entry here, we have no information otherwise.**

##**Daily Cases, Deaths & 1st & 2nd Vaccinations – Updated: 01/31**

>- **Confirmed Total Cases:** [**2,744,698 (+60,838)**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/tags/82/)

>- **Confirmed Total Deaths:** [**18,828 (+48)**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/tags/82/)

>- **1st vaccine dose:** [**101,443,465 – 80.1%**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/vaccine/)

>- **2nd vaccine dose:** [**99,757,353 – 78.8%**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/vaccine/)

##**Monthly News Updates – January 2022**

**01/29** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan’s daily COVID cases hit record high at over 84,000**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/ca8e32bda058-japans-daily-covid-cases-hit-record-high-at-over-82000.html) Concerns are growing about a possible shortage of hospital beds that would increase the strain on the country’s medical system. Those recuperating at home hit a record high of 263,992 as of Wednesday, according to prefectural reports.

**01/28** – [**From NHK News – Japan’s daily COVID case count tops 80,000**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220128_42/) Officials say more than 100 of their 1,400 sanitation workers are now unable to do their jobs. Many have been deemed close contacts of people already infected and are required to self-isolate for 10 days. An Osaka city official says they have been struggling to keep enough garbage collectors on the job, but says it’s getting tougher.

**01/27** – [**From NHK News – Japan posts third day of record-high COVID cases.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220127_32/) The central government has expanded quasi-emergency measures to curb the spread and prevent the medical system from being overwhelmed. These restrictions took effect on Thursday in 18 more prefectures, including Osaka and Hokkaido. They are now in place in 34 prefectures.

**01/24** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan to expand COVID quasi-emergency to 34 of 47 prefs.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/17aabe0815e8-japan-to-expand-covid-quasi-emergency-to-over-30-of-47-prefs.html) The measure, which will impose restrictions such as shorter opening hours for restaurants and bars, will be effective from Thursday to Feb. 20. The government will make a final decision after consulting with an advisory panel of experts on Tuesday, Kishida told reporters. When declared, over two-thirds of the country’s 47 prefectures will be under a quasi-emergency. The existing curbs for Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima — the first group that sought the measure in early January — will see it extended beyond Jan.31 until Feb. 20, as vigilance is still warranted, according to Kishida.

**01/23** – [**From The Japan Times – Severely ill COVID patients in Japan up eightfold from start of ’22.**](https://archive.ph/88Qzr) A group of experts who advise the central government on its COVID-19 response said in a set of proposals submitted to the government Friday that the omicron variant should be regarded as causing an infectious disease different from that caused by the other variants. Noting that the omicron strain initially causes a surge in the number of mildly ill patients and then spreads to the elderly, the group warned that the new variant may lead to further rises in severely ill and hospitalized patients, straining the medical system and disrupting social and economic activities.

**01/23** – [**From NHK News – Japan plans to expand quasi-state of emergency.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220124_05/) Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met relevant ministers, including health minister Goto Shigeyuki and Yamagiwa Daishiro, who is in charge of coronavirus measures, to discuss how to respond to requests from those prefectures. The government intends to declare a quasi-state of emergency for prefectures that have filed such requests. Kishida will meet relevant ministers again on Monday and make a decision after consulting an expert panel on Tuesday.

**01/21** – [**From NHK News – Japan’s daily case count tops 49,000.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220121_40/) Intensive measures to stop the spread of coronavirus are now in place in 16 prefectures. Several prefectures, including Hokkaido and three in the Kansai region, have asked the central government to authorize tougher restrictions for their jurisdictions. Meanwhile, US personnel at American military facilities in Japan have been ordered to stay on their bases until the end of the month. They were to be confined to base until next Monday but the Japanese and US governments agreed to extend the order.

**01/20** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan’s daily COVID cases top 46,000, new record for 3rd straight day.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/0335140156bc-urgent-tokyo-reports-8638-coronavirus-cases-new-daily-record.html) In an effort to curb the further spread of infections, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government decided Wednesday to expand a quasi-state of emergency to Tokyo and other regions. Japan logged a cumulative total of over 1 million COVID-19 cases in August last year when it was reeling from the “fifth wave” of infections. Although infection numbers started falling afterward with the progress in vaccination against the virus, there has been another surge in Japan since cases of community transmission of Omicron were confirmed in late December.

**01/19** – [**From Asahi Shimbun – New COVID-19 cases exceed 40,000 for first time in Japan.**](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14525668) Japan reported more than 40,000 new COVID-19 cases on Jan. 19 for the first time, as the novel coronavirus spread at a record-setting pace in 25 prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka. The nationwide tally as of 5:20 p.m. was up by more than 8,000 from the previous high of 32,197 recorded on Jan. 18.

**01/19** – [**From NHK News Quasi-emergency to expand to Tokyo, 12 other pref.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220119_34/) Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, “We have concluded that we need to apply intensive measures to help local governments push ahead with preparations so their medical systems will function well. We also need to take effective steps to curb the increase in the number of new infections.” The measures will take effect Friday and last through February 13. That brings the number of affected prefectures to 16.

**01/18** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan’s daily COVID-19 cases top 30,000, setting new record.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/e566a5d02e19-urgent-japans-osaka-to-see-daily-record-of-about-6000-covid-19-cases.html) The nationwide count, which came to 32,197 on Tuesday, has quickly risen from just over 500 at the start of the year as the Omicron variant spread rapidly. After topping 10,000 on Jan. 12, it took only two days for the number of daily cases to double. Due to the surge in new cases, Tokyo and other areas are asking the central government to place them under a quasi-state of emergency by which governors can request that restaurants and bars shorten their business hours and stop serving alcohol, and asking residents to refrain from traveling across prefectural borders.

**01/14** – [**From Asahi Shimbun – COVID-19 cases top 20,000 nationwide; dire cases surge.**](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14522102) Just two days ago, the nationwide tally exceeded 10,000 for the first time since Sept. 9. Patients with severe symptoms helped to drive figures upward, according to health ministry data as of Jan. 13. The number of people who fell into that category hit 221, 96 more than Jan. 12. It was the first time for the figure to exceed 200 since Oct. 24, the ministry said.

**01/13** – [**From NHK News – Japan’s daily coronavirus count tops 18,000.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220113_39/) The daily tally is more than four times as high as that of a week ago. A total of 125 people across Japan are in serious condition, up 25 from Wednesday. Tokyo reported more than 3,000 new cases. The figure increased by about 1,000 for two days in a row. Health experts monitoring the situation say the daily tally in the capital is expected to exceed 10,000 by the end of January.

**01/11** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan further extends entry ban until end of Feb.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/974eab354bf9-japan-set-to-maintain-entry-ban-at-least-until-end-of-feb.html) Among tourism, travel and retail businesses, some are strongly advocating for a good balance between border enforcement measures and the promotion of economic activities. “We long for practical antivirus measures as well as the promotion of social and economic activities at the same time,” said Shinya Katanozaka, president of ANA Holdings Inc., in a statement released amid a drastic reduction of international flights. Meanwhile, others were resigned to the current situation where inbound tourism has been devastated by the ongoing pandemic for nearly two years. “We hope (inbound tourists) will come back as soon as possible, but we cannot forecast the timing at all,” said a public relations official of a major travel firm.

**01/10** – [**From Kyoto News – Japan to keep strict border rules till Feb. amid Omicron spread.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/fd653475de35-japan-to-keep-strict-border-rules-till-feb-amid-omicron-spread.html) Japan plans to maintain its strict border restrictions of barring almost all new entries by foreign nationals until late February in a bid to stave off the Omicron variant amid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country, sources familiar with the matter said Monday. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will announce the measure possibly on Tuesday, with focus on whether he will make exceptions for some entries including government-sponsored foreign exchange students, who have largely been unable to enter the country.

**01/07** – [**From Kyodo News – Tokyo to temporarily shut panda zoo, public spots due to virus surge.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/7e83011d19f6-update1-tokyo-to-temporarily-shut-panda-zoo-public-spots-due-to-virus-surge.html) The metropolitan government also decided at the coronavirus taskforce meeting Friday to ask people to eat in groups of four or fewer, instead of the current limit of eight, from next Tuesday until the end of the month, with larger groups requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results.

**01/06** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – 3 prefectures request measures to halt surges in COVID-19 cases**](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14516547) The pre-emergency measures will be in place from Jan. 9 until 31 and involve asking bars and restaurants to close early and not serve alcohol. Businesses that cooperate will receive subsidies. There are differences in geographical coverage among the three prefectures. Okinawa Prefecture has asked that the entire prefecture be covered by the pre-emergency measures, while Hiroshima Prefecture’s request applies to the five municipalities of Hiroshima, Hatsukaichi, Otake, Fuchu and Kaita.

**01/06** – [**From Kyodo News – Tokyo logs 641 daily COVID cases, highest level in over 3 months**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/3ad8382c8c37-urgent-tokyo-logs-641-daily-covid-cases-highest-level-in-over-3-months.html) The daily figure for Tokyo has more than tripled in just three days since hitting 103 on Monday, the first time the number was in the triple digits in about three months. Nationwide, daily cases surpassed 4,000 on Thursday for the first time since Sept. 18.

**01/04** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Kishida: Virus measures focus on treating Omicron cases**](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14515141) Kishida also indicated that the government will revise the current protocol of hospitalizing everyone found with the Omicron variant and asking those who came in close contact with such individuals to self-isolate at hotels and other facilities. Depending on the severity of their symptoms, some individuals may be allowed to self-isolate at home, on condition that they accept the use of a monitoring system. Kishida also said efforts would be made to begin providing an oral medication for COVID-19 developed by Pfizer to medical institutions in February. He said nothing about when the Go To Travel tourism promotion campaign would resume.

**01/04** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan’s daily coronavirus cases top 1,000 for 1st time in 3 months**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/d370016b8420-tokyos-daily-coronavirus-cases-top-100-for-2nd-day-in-row.html) The number of new COVID-19 infections in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan has been rising, though overall cases remain relatively small compared with the fifth wave that prompted the government to implement rounds of COVID-19 states of emergency and quasi-states of emergency last summer.

**01/03** – [**From The Mainichi – Tokyo’s daily coronavirus cases top 100 for 1st time in 3 months.**](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220103/p2g/00m/0na/028000c) Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said Monday 25 residents were newly confirmed to be infected with the highly transmissible Omicron strain, and 11 of them had no recent history of overseas travel. New infections across the country totaled 782 cases on Monday, according to a Kyodo News tally. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting on Monday with health minister Shigeyuki Goto and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country.

**01/03** – [**From Kyodo News – Travelers returning from New Year holidays crowd roads, airports.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/a8c4d4e40e5e-travelers-returning-from-new-year-holidays-crowd-roads-airports.html) A 20-year-old college student returning to Nagoya after seeing his family in Kyoto said he became worried about the Omicron strain of the coronavirus after seeing media reports on the recent gradual increase in daily cases in the country. “I’m going to take another virus test now. I don’t want to spread coronavirus to other people,” he said.

**01/02** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan logs 554 daily COVID-19 cases, new high since Omicron spread.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/cc77226a5576-japan-logs-554-daily-covid-19-cases-new-high-since-omicron-spread.html) Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a New Year’s address Saturday that he would continue to take necessary measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. The government has been aiming to speed up the rollout of coronavirus vaccine booster shots amid multiple community transmissions of the Omicron variant across the country. Epidemiologists have suggested that the prime minister shift the government’s focus in the fight against the Omicron variant to domestic measures, as border enforcement alone has not contained infections.

**01/01** – [**From Kyodo News – Record 235 COVID-19 cases reported from U.S. forces in Okinawa.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/01/0c140760c2cc-record-235-covid-19-cases-reported-from-us-forces-in-okinawa.html) Under an agreement between Japan and the United States, quarantine measures for U.S. military personnel on arrival are carried out by the United States, which means they are not subject to Japanese quarantine rules at airports. The Japanese government has said the U.S. Defense Department had exempted its personnel from undergoing PCR tests because of the progress in vaccinations in the military and lower infection cases globally. The forces have said the exemption began in September for vaccinated personnel coming to their facilities in Japan by military aircraft. Since the cluster infection, they have required their personnel coming to Japan to undergo the testing 72 hours ahead of departure.