Japan Travel, COVID-19, And You: Tourism Information & Pandemic News Update Thread – December 2021

##**December 2021 – Discussion is closed until a clear and official timetable to Tourism Reopening (specific dates/timelines) is announced by the Japanese Government through official channels. With the emergence of the Omicron variant, Japan has again closed their borders to entry beginning November 30th, 2021 and for at least the next month while the new variant is studied and risk assessments are completed. As a result, we do not anticipate the announcement occurring anytime in the near future.** [**Tourism entry is currently suspended until further notice.**](https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/)

##**Frequently Asked Questions on Tourism Entry – December 2021**

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

>- **There is no confirmation at this time on when the borders will reopen. We strongly advise if you do purchase tickets that they are refundable or can be rebooked – bare minimum. If you cannot afford the cost of refundable tickets at this time, you should wait until the borders are officially reopened to International Tourism before you book ANY non-refundable fares.**

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

>- **If you have already booked a flight (*early 2022 opening is not likely as of this writing*), 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.** Further information on accepted vaccine certificates for entry under special circumstances is included in this [PDF from the MHLW,](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000836955.pdf) and an updated list of areas is included [here.](https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100244979.pdf)

**”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.**

##**Frequently Asked Questions on Non-Tourism Entry – December 2021**

**”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 before you would be able to continue your journey. 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 for at least the next month. 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 & Vaccinations in Japan (65 and Under) – Updated: 12/31**

>- [**Confirmed Cases: 1,734,256 (+510) & 18,405 (+0) deaths.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/tags/82/)

>- **1st vaccine dose:** [**100,404,891 – 79.3%**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/vaccine/)

>- **2nd vaccine dose:** [**98,660,175 – 77.9%**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/vaccine/)

##**Monthly News Updates – December 2021**

**12/31** – [**From The Mainichi – New Year’s Eve muted by omicron; many hoping for better 2022.**](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20211231/p2g/00m/0in/019000c) Even before omicron hit, many people were happy to say goodbye to a second grinding year of the pandemic. But so far, at least, the omicron surge hasn’t resulted in the same levels of hospitalizations and deaths as previous outbreaks — especially among vaccinated people — offering a glimmer of hope for 2022.

**12/27** – [**From NHK News – Tokyo reports 35 new cases of coronavirus.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211227_19/) The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 35 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Monday. The figure includes two cases of the Omicron variant. The daily tally increased by 24 from a week ago. The figure has remained below 50 for 72 days in a row. Tokyo officials say the two who were confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant had travelled to Japan on a plane carrying an Omicron-infected passenger.

**12/24** – [**From Kyodo News – 1st community spread of Omicron virus variant confirmed in Tokyo.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/4b99a8d8ca1c-breaking-news-1st-community-spread-of-omicron-variant-in-tokyo-confirmed.html) A male doctor in his 50s, who works at a clinic in the capital and has no history of recent travel overseas, was confirmed to be infected with the variant through an unknown route, it said. The case in Tokyo follows those reported in the western prefectures of Osaka and Kyoto, where new cases of the variant were also confirmed amid increasing concerns over a possible resurgence of infections.

**12/24** – [**From NHK News – Japan may tighten restrictions if Omicron surges.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211225_03/) Japan’s government has been drawing up plans to deal with the Omicron coronavirus variant, after reports of apparent community transmission in three major cities. Authorities say they may tighten restrictions on movement and activities if the numbers surge.

**12/23** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Okinawa cluster reveals ‘loophole’ in Japan’s strict border controls.**](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14508930) “While Japan was unaware, anti-virus measures in the bases were eased. And that has invited the current situation,” said Eizo Yonaha, the chair of the headquarters. “The pandemic doesn’t discriminate regardless of country, region or race. So, it is nonsense to set up a wall–namely, the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement–there, which exempts quarantine. The Japanese government cannot even check what kind of measures are being taken inside the bases and what kind of people have entered the bases and when.” It has also become clear that testing to check if the virus is the Omicron variant cannot be conducted inside the bases. U.S. military officials maintain that, if necessary, that kind of testing will be done in the United States.

**12/23** – [**From NHK News – Top govt. advisor warns of rapid Omicron spread.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211223_20/) Omi warned that seniors who are vaccinated remain at higher risk of falling seriously ill. He called on them to get a third shot as soon as possible. Omi says infection risks are high during the New Year holidays as many people travel and attend gatherings. He called on the public to take thorough precautions and avoid non-essential trips.

**12/23** – [**From NHK News – Japan’s Omicron cases rise to 200.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211223_21/) Health ministry officials say 33 of the infected individuals flew to the country during the week through Monday.

**12/22** – [**From The Mainichi – Japan reports 1st community spread of Omicron, braces for resurgence.**](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20211222/p2g/00m/0na/035000c) The three family members — a male elementary school teacher, a woman in her 30s and a girl under 10 years old — were admitted to the hospital after developing mild symptoms, such as fever, between Saturday and Monday, the Osaka prefectural government said. The two adults have already received two vaccine doses. Two other family members, who also contracted COVID-19, are awaiting the results of genome tests to determine if they have also been infected with the new variant. The man had worked until Friday last week, the day before he began exhibiting symptoms, the prefecture said, adding it will conduct PCR tests on all the teachers and students at his school in the city of Neyagawa.

**12/21** – [**From Kyodo News – Three new Omicron cases reported in Japan.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211221_19/) Three new cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were reported in Japan on Tuesday, bringing total such infections in the country to 85. The health ministry says one case was confirmed in Saitama Prefecture, and the two others, in Tokyo.

**12/21** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan to keep strict border controls for the time being: PM Kishida.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/a90508d7e159-japan-pm-fumuo-kishida-holds-a-press-conference.html) Japan will extend the current strict border control measures “for the time being” past early January as the nation remains vigilant amid uncertainty over the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday. Even with the number of daily confirmed coronavirus cases staying at low levels and a community spread of Omicron not unfolding, Kishida said Japan needs to strengthen its preparedness by accelerating booster shot rollouts and promoting orally administered COVID-19 drugs.

**12/20** – [**From NHK News – Japan confirms 17 new omicron infections.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211220_18/) The ministry says the travelers, ranging in age from under 10 to their 60s, arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, Narita Airport near Tokyo, and Kansai International Airport in western Japan. They were coming from the United States, Britain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. They tested positive for the coronavirus at airport quarantines or hotels where they have been isolating since arriving. Two had COVID symptoms such as fever and coughs; the other 12 did not. All but two had been vaccinated for the coronavirus. The two are children under 10.

**12/18** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan’s tight entry rules over Omicron variant to last into next year.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/d4e564e42c0d-japans-tight-entry-rules-over-omicron-variant-to-last-into-next-year.html) Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday Japan will extend its tight entry rules until at least early next year to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The government initially said the rules, banning new entries by foreigners worldwide and requiring returning Japanese nationals and foreign residents to quarantine in government-designated facilities, would be in place for about a month to year-end. **Kishida told reporters that the government will continue with the rules until more details of the Omicron variant are known. “We will study the situation after the year-end and New Year (holiday).”**

**12/17** – [**From NHK News – Japan mulls steps as Omicron cases rise.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211217_42/) Government officials are considering extending Japan’s tough border restrictions into next month and beyond. The country has effectively banned new entry of all foreign nationals and added stricter quarantine rules for anyone returning from countries with confirmed Omicron cases. The government also plans to speed up the rollout of vaccine booster shots.

**12/16** – [**From NHK News – Omicron infection confirmed in Tokyo.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211217_02/) A woman in her 20s living in Tokyo was confirmed to be infected on Thursday. She returned from the United States on December 8 and tested negative on arrival. She developed a fever the next day while isolating at home. She then tested positive on Monday, and her sample was sent for analysis. A man in his 20s also living in Tokyo is regarded as having had close contact with her, as they met on December 8 and 9. The man tested positive on Wednesday and his sample is being analyzed. The man went to watch a soccer game at a stadium near Tokyo on Sunday. Officials are calling on about 80 people who sat near him to be tested.

**12/13** – [**From The Japan Times – Japan to consider resuming Go To Travel at the end of January.**](https://archive.ph/yP6Xr) “We hope to proceed with talks on restarting the discount campaign around the end of January,” assuming that infection cases for the omicron variant of COVID-19 are subdued, Motegi said in a speech in the western Japan city of Osaka.

**12/13** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Study finds Go To Travel was likely behind case spike in Hokkaido.**](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14501324) “We’ve seen many cases where infections spread after more people started traveling from virus hotspots to regional areas,” said Koji Wada, a professor of public health at the International University of Health and Welfare. “If the government wants to resume the travel program, it should require users to travel only with their family members and avoid travel on weekends and consecutive holidays to prevent the spread of the virus.”

**12/13** – [**From NHK News – Four more Omicron variant cases confirmed in Japan.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211213_34/) The four are: a man in his 40’s who arrived in Narita Airport last Monday after staying in Nigeria; a woman in her 20’s who arrived at Kansai Airport on Wednesday after staying in the United States; a man in his 30’s who arrived at Narita Airport also on Wednesday after staying in Kenya; and a man in his 20’s who arrived at Haneda Airport on Thursday after staying in the United States.

**12/11** – [**From NHK News – Japan confirms 13th Omicron variant case.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211211_16/) A man in his 40’s from Gifu Prefecture in central Japan has tested positive for the Omicron variant. He returned to Japan on December 4 after a stay in Sri Lanka. The health ministry says the man was fully vaccinated but was hospitalized after he became fatigued and developed a fever.

**12/10** – [**From NHK News – Japan reports 8 more Omicron cases.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211210_33/) The eight infected people arrived in Japan between late November and early December. All had been in Namibia, the United States, Mozambique or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two had been in close contact with the first known Omicron carrier in Japan who is a Namibian diplomat.

**12/08** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan confirms 4th case of Omicron variant infection.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/ae9f8f377074-japan-confirms-4th-case-of-omicron-variant-infection.html) A man in his 50s with a history of travel to Nigeria tested positive upon arrival at Narita airport near Tokyo on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The other 103 passengers on the same flight have been identified, and their health conditions will be monitored, the ministry said. The man received his first and second doses of Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine in October, it said.

**12/03** – [**From The Japan Times – You’re three times more likely to get reinfected by omicron, South African study finds.**](https://archive.ph/HxvAI) “The reinfection risk profile of omicron is substantially higher than that associated with the beta and delta variants during the second and third waves, with observed numbers of reinfections falling well beyond the prediction intervals,” they wrote. “Our most urgent priority now is to quantify the extent of omicron’s immune escape for both natural and vaccine-derived immunity, as well as its transmissibility relative to other variants and impact on disease severity.” That strain has rapidly taken hold in Africa’s most-industrialized nation. New cases exceeded 11,000 on Thursday, compared with 585 two weeks ago, according to government data. In Gauteng, the nation’s richest province and its COVID-19 epicenter, each infected person on average is able to pass on the virus to another 2.33 people, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. The beta or delta variants spread “primarily from increased transmissibility, rather than immune escape,” according to the research paper, which hasn’t been peer reviewed.

**12/02** – [**From The Mainichi – Mysteries of omicron variant could take weeks to untangle.**](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20211202/p2g/00m/0sc/013000c) Scientists say it may take two to four weeks to get some important answers. Among the biggest concerns is how much omicron might evade immunity. So far the beta variant has been the biggest challenge to vaccine protection but that mutant fortunately didn’t spread widely. “It is highly unlikely that this new variant has escaped all antibodies generated following vaccination,” said immunologist E. John Wherry of the University of Pennsylvania. Vaccine makers and other scientists are setting up lab tests to tell how well antibodies generated by vaccines or prior infection can fight omicron compared to earlier variants. It takes time because first, they must grow samples of so-called “pseudoviruses” that hold the worrisome new mutations. But that “won’t be the whole story,” Moss said. The immune system has multiple layers of defense beyond antibodies, including T cells that should help avoid severe disease even if someone experiences a breakthrough infection. Experts also will be carefully monitoring the prevalence of omicron-caused infections and their severity. As for treatments, Regeneron says its COVID-19 antibody cocktail may be less effective against omicron although more testing is needed. But there are some antiviral pills in the pipeline, a long-needed new option that shouldn’t be affected by omicron’s mutations.

**12/02** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan drops blanket halt of inbound flight bookings after criticism.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/28670f8f00db-urgent-kishida-hints-at-review-of-japans-re-entry-restrictions-over-omicron.html) Prime Minister Fumio Kishida admitted the transport ministry’s announcement the previous day had caused confusion, telling reporters he instructed officials to “adequately take into account” people’s wishes to travel home. Under the measure, Japanese citizens and foreign residents would have been unable to return for the holidays unless they already had reservations.

**12/01** – [**From Kyodo News – ANA, JAL stop flight bookings to Japan amid Omicron variant fears.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/99f43e872ec0-breaking-news-japan-to-bar-foreign-resident-re-entry-from-areas-flagged-for-omicron.html) The move comes as Japan confirmed its second case of the potentially highly contagious strain the same day — a man in his 20s who arrived at Narita airport near Tokyo on Saturday after recently staying in Peru, Matsuno said at a press conference. The man, who is fully vaccinated with Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine, was initially asymptomatic but later developed a fever and sore throat. Around 114 people who were on the same flight as the man have tested negative and are being treated as close contacts.

**12/01** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Moderna CEO warns COVID-19 shots less effective against Omicron.**](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14492503) “There is no world, I think, where (the effectiveness) is the same level . . . we had with Delta,” Moderna CEO Bancel told the Financial Times in an interview. “I think it’s going to be a material drop. I just don’t know how much because we need to wait for the data. But all the scientists I’ve talked to . . . are like ‘this is not going to be good’,” Bancel said.