##May 2021 – [**The ban on all New Entries has been confirmed to continue indefinitely,**](https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/) **unless there are exceptional circumstances – tourism/tourist visas do not fall under this definition.**
##At present, entry is only permitted for Japanese Nationals, Permanent Residents, or Foreign Nationals with current residency IN Japan, or Spouses of those groups. If you need to travel to Japan as a non-resident in special exceptional circumstances, please contact the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. Please note that to be allowed to board a plane to Japan, [you will need to confirm your negative PCR test result on a specific form.](https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page25e_000334.html) Ensure you confirm with both airline and Japanese embassy/consulate which testing facilities are recognized by airline in question & Japanese immigration. We strongly urge you to check with the [Embassy of Japan in your departure county to confirm your entry](https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html) on advance, and answer any other questions you may have.
##**We are continuing our Discussion Thread this month on entry for Tourism in 2021. Posts on these topics will be redirected to [this thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/n2m8g0/discussion_the_future_of_travel_to_japan_in_2021/) until there is an official release from the Government on how they will proceed with re-opening. Please note, at this time we do not anticipate the borders reopening to International Tourism until Late 2021 – if at all this year. This thread has been re-configured to remove news older than January 2021. Please check** [**here**](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/search?q=Japan+Travel%2C+COVID-19%2C+And+You%3A+Guidelines+On+Travel+%26+Pandemic+News+Update+Thread&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all) **for previous Pandemic Megathreads on this topic, dating back to 2020.**
##**Frequently Asked Questions – May 2021**
>- **”Will Japan reopen to those who have already been fully vaccinated against the virus?” According to The Japan Times,** [**Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said at a news conference on March 19th**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/03/19/national/vaccine-passports/) **that Japan has no plans to ease travel restrictions for travelers with vaccine certificates issued overseas.**
>- [**What about the Vaccine Passport I’m hearing about?**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/03/28/national/science-health/covid-19-vaccine-japan-passports/) Currently, this passport is only being used for Citizens of Japan in order to speed check-ins for airlines and at hotels that would seek proof of vaccination prior to boarding or entry. For locals who may visit our sub, the Government does not plan to use this app for the Go-To Travel campaign when it restarts.
>- **If you are looking for more information as a potential New Entrant affected by the ban, please go to** [**/r/movingtojapan’s Megathread for discussion.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/ls0dqr/covid19_entry_restrictions_discussion_and/)
>- **If you are seeking information on *re-entry with the new restrictions*, [**start with past /r/japanlife Megathreads, especially in regards to quarantine measures.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/search?q=covid-19+discussion+thread&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all) Questions regarding this topic will be removed and redirected.**
>- **If you are still in Japan and need to renew your Tourist Visa, you will need to contact the Authorities at the** [**Immigration Services Agency Of Japan**](http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/) **to confirm you are still able to renew and continue your stay if necessary. Questions regarding this topic will be removed.**
>- **Are you arriving in Japan for a stopover while on the way to another country? Transit *through* Japan is ONLY possible through Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, or Kansai Airport. *You cannot depart any airport to catch a flight to your destination without facing quarantine measures.* If you are flying on a newly booked or rebooked ticket, please speak to your airline right away if you have concerns. Questions regarding this topic will be removed.**
>- [**Japan-Guide.com is keeping a list of tourist attractions that have been affected by the ongoing pandemic.**](https://www.japan-guide.com/news/alerts.html) This list is kept for closures and re-openings of popular tourist attractions, and is updated as necessary.
##**Confirmed Cases, Vaccinations Administered, News Sources, and Maps – Updated: 05/31**
>**As of this writing, Japan has 747,457 confirmed cases, and 13,073 people have died.**
>**Total number of vaccine doses administered as of 05/28 to healthcare professionals and others: 7,360,882 (＋164,516) (1st: 4,455,174 2nd: 2,905,708)**
>**Total number of vaccine doses administered as of 05/28 to the elderly: 4,982,708 (＋1,002,746) (1st: 4,661,390 2nd: 321,318) (as of May 30, 2021)**
>- [**NHK News Japan Prefectural Infection Map:**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/data/) This breakdown is provided by NHK Japan, and the information is culled from the Ministry of Health in Japan.
>- [**The JHU CSSE Map:**](https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html) is another source for infections in Japan and worldwide.
>- [**NHK World Coronavirus Portal:**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/tags/82/) Updated with news and confirmed cases daily, short read articles and quick videos on topics related to the ongoing pandemic in Japan.
>- [**The Japan Times Covid-19 Live Thread:**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/liveblogs/news/coronavirus-outbreak-updates/) Updates with news and confirmed cases, contains longer articles with more sources in regards to the pandemic, travel, and tourism in Japan.
>- [**The Prime Minister’s Office of Japan is providing updates on Immunizations for COVID-19.**](http://japan.kantei.go.jp/ongoingtopics/vaccine.html) This information is updated during the week, as currently no sites are open on weekends or holidays for appointments.
##**TOURISM NEWS UPDATES – May 2021**
**05/31** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan to tighten border control for travelers from Vietnam, Malaysia.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/06/47278cc25426-japan-to-tighten-border-control-for-travelers-from-vietnam-malaysia.html) Japan plans to tighten its border control to prevent the spread of more contagious variants of the novel coronavirus, asking travelers from Vietnam and Malaysia to stay in government-designated facilities for six days after arrival, government sources said Monday. It will also set the quarantine period at such facilities at 10 days for travelers from Afghanistan and three days for those from Thailand and some U.S. states, the sources said.
**05/28** – [**From NHK News – Govt. decides to extend emergency measures.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210528_33/) The state of emergency for Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Okayama, Hiroshima and Fukuoka had been set to end on Monday next week. The officials decided to extend it to June 20 — the same day it is due to expire in Okinawa.
**05/27** – [**From SoraNews24 – Everything you need to know about quarantining in Japan – UPDATED ENTRY INFORMATION.**](https://soranews24.com/2021/05/27/everything-you-need-to-know-about-quarantining-in-japan/)
**05/25** – [**From The Mainichi – Tokyo to seek COVID-19 state of emergency extension as Olympics loom.**](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210526/p2g/00m/0na/076000c) Fukuoka Gov. Seitaro Hattori said Tuesday he asked for an extension, while Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura and his counterparts in Hyogo and Kyoto on Wednesday confirmed they will do the same. The governors of Aichi and Okayama have also suggested an extension is inevitable. A total of 3,901 new coronavirus cases were reported across Japan on Tuesday, down from more than 7,200 at the peak of the country’s fourth wave of infections. But the decline has lost momentum in some prefectures including Tokyo, where the Olympics are due to begin on July 23, while hospitals in Osaka continue to be strained by the masses of COVID-19 patients.
**05/24** – [**From NHK News – US raises warning level against travel to Japan.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210525_06/) The department raised its travel advisory level for Japan to the highest on its four-tier scale — “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” The department cited the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says, “Because of the current situation in Japan even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.”
**05/23** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan gov’t refers to possible extension of COVID-19 emergency.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/b7d159b66b01-japan-govt-refers-to-possible-extension-of-covid-19-emergency.html) In an effort to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has declared a state of emergency in the capital, Hokkaido and Aichi, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima and Fukuoka prefectures — with eateries told to close by 8 p.m. and to refrain from serving alcohol or offering karaoke services.
**05/20** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Tokyo Games organizers get plea to cancel from medical body.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14353988) In one of the strongest statements so far, the 6,000-member Tokyo Medical Practitioners’ Association called for the Olympics to be canceled in a letter sent last week to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, and Seiko Hashimoto, the head of the organizing committee. The letter was made public this week on the group’s website. “We believe the correct choice is to the cancel an event that has the possibility of increasing the numbers of infected people and deaths,” the letter said. “Viruses are spread by people’s movements. Japan will hold a heavy responsibility if the Olympics and Paralympics work to worsen the pandemic, increasing the number of those who must suffer and die.”
**05/20** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Experts: Virus numbers still too high to lift state of emergency.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14354061) Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Aichi, Fukuoka, Okayama, Hokkaido and Hiroshima prefectures are covered under the latest state of emergency to stem the spread of novel coronavirus infections. Under one of the criteria set by a government task force, the state of emergency can be lifted only after the number of new COVID-19 cases drops below the most serious stage of a four-level classification. Stage 4 for this category is a situation in which there are 25 or more new infections per 100,000 people over a week.
**05/20** – [**From The Mainichi – Japan gov’t panel approves Moderna, AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.**](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210520/p2g/00m/0sc/070000c) The government’s top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, voiced hope that the approval of new vaccines would help speed up Japan’s inoculation drive, which has lagged behind other developed countries.
**05/18** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan to restrict arrivals from Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/a5fefc664252-japan-to-restrict-arrivals-from-bangladesh-maldives-sri-lanka.html) For the time being, Japan will newly ban the entry of foreigners who have stayed in Bangladesh and Maldives even if they hold resident status in Japan. Tokyo has already implemented such an entry ban on foreigners with resident status in the country who have stayed in India, Nepal and Pakistan, due to the spread of the variant.
**05/17** – [**From the Asahi Shimbun – Survey: 83% against holding Tokyo Olympics this summer.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14351670) Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has repeatedly said “it is possible to hold the Olympics securely and safely” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but 73 percent of respondents said they were “unconvinced” by his remark.
**05/16** – [**From NHK News – Bookings for mass vaccination sites start Monday.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210517_04/) Inoculations at the two venues will start on May 24. Officials expect SDF doctors and nurses to eventually administer daily shots of 10,000 in Tokyo, and 5,000 in Osaka. The government is aiming to achieve its goal of having all elderly people vaccinated by the end of July at the two mass vaccination sites, in addition to immunization efforts by local governments
**05/15** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – EXPLAINER: Why Japan has been slow to roll out vaccinations.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14349720) Japan’s rollout of COVID-19 vaccines began belatedly in mid-February, months behind the United States and many other countries. Officials blamed a shortage of Pfizer Inc. vaccine from Europe as the main culprit in the delay. But three months later, with shipments stabilized and officials attempting to accelerate vaccinations, Japan remains one of the world’s least protected.
**05/14** – [**From NHK News – Petition demands cancellation of Tokyo Games.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210514_22/) An online petition calling for canceling the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics has drawn more than 350,000 signatures from Japan and overseas since it was launched on May 5. The petition’s organizer, Utsunomiya Kenji, held a news conference on Friday. He is a former head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.
**05/14** – [**From NHK News – State of emergency to be expanded Sunday.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210514_44/) The state of emergency is currently in place in six prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, until the end of this month. Starting Sunday, it will also cover Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima in an effort to curb infections and ease the strain on medical systems.
**05/13** – [**From Nikkei Asia – Japan election set for fall as COVID and Olympics come first**](https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan-election-set-for-fall-as-COVID-and-Olympics-come-first) Suga has been reluctant to dissolve the Diet’s lower house for an early general election amid the pandemic but has signaled that a no-confidence motion against his cabinet could spur him to do so. “I don’t think we can hold a general election under the current circumstances,” Yukio Edano, head of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, told reporters Monday, referring to the fourth wave of coronavirus infections hitting the country. Senior officials from Suga’s LDP “have made clear that the lower house will be dissolved if we submit” a no-confidence motion, “so we can’t,” Edano said. Submitting a no-confidence motion at the end of the regular Diet session, which ends on June 16 this year, had been an annual ritual of opposition lawmakers until the pandemic. **The lower house must be dissolved before its term expires on Oct. 21.**
**05/13** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan to cut No. of visiting Tokyo Games officials to less than 90,000**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/deeb21dd1021-japan-to-cut-no-of-visiting-tokyo-games-officials-to-less-than-90000.html) The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will reduce the number of visiting officials to this summer’s games to 90,000 or fewer as part of its simplification efforts, the committee’s CEO said Thursday
**05/13** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan to impose tougher COVID-19 restrictions in 5 more prefectures**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/ffd0369e5399-breaking-news-hokkaido-reports-record-712-new-daily-coronavirus-cases.html) The measures, expected to include telling restaurants to close early, will be in place from Sunday through June 13 in some municipalities in Gunma, Ishikawa, Okayama, Hiroshima and Kumamoto, the sources said. The prefectures will be added to eight areas currently under a quasi-state of emergency — Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Gifu, Mie, Ehime and Okinawa.
**05/12** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Officials to call on those who fail to abide by Japan’s virus entry rules.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14346386) The government will send inspectors to the homes or accommodations of entrants found to have skipped the safety protocol to confirm their whereabouts more frequently than before. As a step against the novel coronavirus, the government has requested people arriving in Japan from overseas to stay home for 14 days to restrict their movements and contact with others even if they test negative for the virus. About 20,000 to 24,000 people are asked to follow the protocol each day, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
**05/11** – [**From Kyodo News – IOC chief Bach’s Japan visit in May postponed due to virus.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/ed992f4ce747-urgent-ioc-chief-bachs-japan-visit-in-may-postponed-due-to-virus.html) The postponement of the trip came at a time when the Tokyo Games have been met with opposition at home due to concerns that they can contribute to the spread of the virus and add pressure to hospitals that have been struggling to treat an increasing number of COVID-19 patients.
**05/11** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan’s seriously ill COVID-19 patients continue to increase.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/a8ac39ceb79e-tokyo-reports-925-covid-cases-amid-worries-about-virus-variants.html) Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures are slated to come under the emergency declaration from Wednesday. The National Governors’ Association on Monday asked the government to consider expanding the declaration nationwide to introduce stronger measures against more contagious variants.
**05/07** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Virus experts: Golden Week likely the calm before the storm.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14344078) Health officials are warning against false assurances from the lower infection numbers reported during the Golden Week holidays, saying signs actually point to a more dire COVID-19 situation in the coming weeks. “New cases appear to be ebbing now but that is because fewer people got themselves tested for the virus during the Golden Week holidays,” health minister Norihisa Tamura told a meeting of an expert panel advising the ministry on the pandemic on May 6.
**05/07** – [**From The Mainichi – COVID-19 medical care in Osaka stretched to ‘natural-disaster levels’: hospital chief.**](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210507/p2a/00m/0na/013000c)
Since mid-April, Osaka Prefecture’s patients with serious COVID-19 symptoms have outnumbered available hospital beds for them, thereby forcing beds for patients with mild or moderate cases to be used to care for individuals in greater danger. Osaka City Juso Hospital in the west Japan city’s Yodogawa Ward has 70 beds for moderate COVID-19 cases. Its manager, 64-year-old Yukio Nishiguchi, described the situation on the ground: “We’ve had cases where the disease has taken a sudden turn, and we’ve not been able to get people to hospitals with beds for seriously ill patients in time. I want people to understand this is a natural-disaster level situation where they can’t always receive necessary treatment.”
**05/07** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan aiming for 1 mil. COVID-19 vaccine shots daily: Suga.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/42095757c1b3-urgent-japan-in-talks-with-moderna-novavax-for-200-mil-vaccine-doses-suga.html) Speaking at a press conference after announcing the decision to extend the state of emergency covering Tokyo and other prefectures, Suga said he expects some municipalities to begin vaccinating people with underlying conditions such as diabetes next month.
**05/06** – [**From Kyodo News – IOC to provide Tokyo Olympic athletes with Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/e1435f6911ca-breaking-news-ioc-to-provide-tokyo-olympic-athletes-with-pfizer-covid-19-vaccines.html) The International Olympic Committee announced Thursday it will provide athletes attending this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics with doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, free of charge. […] Japan plans to finish inoculating those 65 and over by the end of July. The Olympics opening ceremony is scheduled for July 23.
**05/06** – [**From Kyodo News – Japan to expand COVID-19 state of emergency, extend to end of May.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/39890da131f6-urgent-tokyo-metropolitan-govt-eyes-extension-of-covid-19-emergency.html) The Japanese government plans to expand the ongoing COVID-19 state of emergency beyond Tokyo and the Osaka area and extend it to the end of May in a bid to bring down infections and ease the strain on hospitals, senior officials said Thursday.
**05/04** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Emergency curbs for Osaka set to extend beyond May 11.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14342694) Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura signaled May 4 that Osaka Prefecture’s state of emergency will have to be extended beyond the May 11 deadline as COVID-19 cases still remain high. “My present understanding of the situation is that it would be difficult to relax the measures under the state of emergency or to lift it,” Yoshimura said.
**05/01** – [**From Kyodo News – Over half say Japan needs to amend Constitution for virus response.**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/05/edf64fdd4d6a-over-half-say-japan-needs-to-amend-constitution-for-virus-response.html) Public worries over the prolonged fight against COVID-19 are believed to have fanned calls for stronger anti-virus measures with the introduction of an emergency clause as the current government steps appear to lack teeth.
##**MONTHLY SUMMARY**
**April 2021 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 593,714 – Deaths – 10,256**
>- Not long after the ending of the previous State of Emergency, [the virus began to rebound in Tokyo, Hyogo and Osaka.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/04/e047dcab633f-japan-govt-to-let-osaka-hyogo-miyagi-take-stricter-virus-steps.html)
>- In order to help curb the spread, [Osaka requested a cancellation of their leg of the torch relay.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/04/2cb4570f6336-breaking-news-tokyo-olympic-torch-relay-should-be-canceled-in-osaka-governor.html)
>- Japan began looking at anti-discrimination laws for [people who cannot be immunized against COVID-19](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210410/p2a/00m/0na/005000c) because of allergies or other reasons, vaccination policy chief Taro Kono said at an April 9 news conference. Looking ahead to nationwide vaccinations, Kono commented, “It’s true that there are quite a few people who can’t be vaccinated due to allergies. We’d like to create something like guidelines with requests, though they wouldn’t be binding.”
>- [Tokyo, Kyoto, and Okinawa stepped up virus measures as infections rebounded.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/12/national/coronavirus-emergency-measures/)
>- Sadly, too little, too late as [the virus surge was deemed a fourth wave.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210414_20/) Another state of emergency was noted as being an option.
>- After an LDP Party Member stated to the media that canceling The Games was still an option, [ the Tokyo Olympic chief denied, once again, the possibility of canceling The Games.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/04/ba7ae0671c7f-tokyo-olympic-chief-denies-possibility-of-canceling-games.html)
>- Another major factor in re-opening the borders, the National Elections, [will be determined by COVID-19 situation in Japan.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/04/eee248c23591-urgent-suga-says-timing-of-election-to-be-determined-by-covid-19-situation.html) The lower house members’ four-year term expires on Oct. 21 and Suga’s term as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and thus the country’s leader ends on Sept. 30, giving him a small window in which to call a general election. While there has been speculation about the timing of the election, Suga has repeatedly said his focus is on getting life back to normal by taking measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic, maintaining the poll would only come after the public health crisis is under control.
>- It was announced that Japan is on the way to [procuring enough COVID vaccines for all eligible by end of September 2021](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/04/647eedf03664-japan-to-procure-enough-covid-vaccines-for-all-eligible-by-end-sept.html)
>- However, the plan for getting those inoculations into arms is still facing stages of planning, [as an LDP lawmaker advised it may take until 2022 for vaccinations to be completed.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210419_25/) The head of the LDP’s Policy Research Council, Shimomura Hakubun, said that some municipalities were unfortunately unable to carry out an effective inoculation plan, citing a potential lack of cooperation of some medical facilities. He suggested that completing vaccinations for people aged 65 or older in such locations may take until the end of this year, or possibly next year. He said at the current pace, a vaccination rollout for all people who hope to receive shots may not be completed until the spring of next year in some locations.
>- [Japan tightened rules on COVID-19 test certificates for travelers, as well.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/04/c983dc38c8f9-japan-tightens-rules-on-covid-19-test-certificates-for-travelers.html) To enter Japan, a passenger needs to obtain a certificate that proves negative results for the virus based on nasopharyngeal or saliva samples, which need to be taken within 72 hours before departure. Japan would not approve antigen or antibody tests as certificates for entering the country.
>- By the end of April [another State Of Emergency had to be declared from April 25 to May 11.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/04/cf1704b9940e-japan-prepares-for-covid-19-emergency-in-tokyo-osaka-kyoto-hyogo.html)
>- In response to slow vaccination times, [Japan PM Suga ordered the creation of a large-scale vaccination center in Tokyo.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/04/fb7aea060b42-suga-orders-creation-of-large-scale-vaccination-center-in-tokyo.html) The center will launch on May 24 and be staffed by Self-Defense Forces doctors and nurses, running for about three months, a representative said at a press conference.
>- Finally, [Japan announced plans to introduce ‘vaccine passports’ for international travel.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/28/national/japan-vaccine-passports/) The passports are expected to be in the form of a smartphone app, with travelers scanning a QR code at the airport before boarding a flight or when entering the country. The government is moving forward with the plan in the hope of resuming business travel, which has virtually stopped during the pandemic, to shore up the world’s third-largest economy.
>**March 2021 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 475,880 – Deaths – 9,189**
>- After lifting the SOE early at request of some prefectural Governors, [Suga said it was necessary to extend COVID emergency in Tokyo region by 2 weeks.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/03/444e6e10152d-breaking-news-tokyo-area-governors-eye-extending-covid-19-emergency-by-2-weeks.html)
>- [Two days later the State of emergency was extended for Tokyo area](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210306_01/) until March 21st, in order to provide as much extra support to the medical system as possible, and help to assess the situation carefully.
>- [Mid-month it was revealed a variant reported in the Philippines was detected at Narita.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210312_40/) This is the first time the variant has been detected in Japan.
>- [Japan began testing COVID-19 status apps for travelers.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210315_15/) In order to use the app, individuals have their saliva taken at a PCR-testing site. The samples are sent to a nearby facility for analysis. About two hours later, participants receive a notice on their smartphones indicating a result. By linking the data with the app, users can show their results with a QR code that acts as a globally accepted certificate.
>- [The Tokyo Games Organizing Committee determined there would be no spectators at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic torch relay.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/03/77ba7e8c23d5-no-spectators-at-opening-ceremony-of-tokyo-olympic-torch-relay.html)
>- [COVID-19 SOE was lifted for the Tokyo region on March 21st, as scheduled.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/03/17/national/soe-tokyo-lifting-suga/)
>- [It was announced that travelers entering Japan would have to install multiple apps on their smartphones to gain entry to the country.](https://soranews24.com/2021/03/19/travelers-entering-japan-will-have-to-install-location-confirmation-app-skype-on-smartphones/)
>- [The IOC and JOC determined that overseas fans would not be allowed to attend the Tokyo Olympics.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210321_06/) Tokyo 2020 President Hashimoto Seiko said, “Countries around the world, including Japan, are strictly restricting cross-border travel. The current situation makes it difficult to guarantee free entry into Japan from abroad this summer.”
>- [A surge in new cases of coronavirus is beginning across Japan.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210325_01/) The Tokyo metropolitan government has reported the highest number of new coronavirus cases in a month, just three days after a state of emergency was lifted, and it’s further stoking fears a new wave could be on the way. Sendai Mayor Kohri Kazuko said, “We’re experiencing an unprecedented upsurge. It’s very critical.”
>- [Japanese Government opts not to resume travel subsidy program until at least June.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/03/c18b11af2b1b-japan-opts-not-to-resume-travel-subsidy-program-until-at-least-june.html)
>- [Tokyo and Osaka brace for another wave of cases.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210330_40/) Tokyo reported the second highest tally of daily cases at 364. It’s the 11th straight day the count has been higher than it was a week earlier. Experts are calling on health authorities to secure more hospital beds in case the number of serious cases surges. More than 2,000 cases were reported across the country on Tuesday. Nearly 370 patients are in serious condition.
>- [Osaka requests stronger anti-virus steps amid resurgence.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/03/d7f7847d45f7-osaka-set-to-request-stronger-anti-virus-steps-amid-resurgence.html)
>**February 2021 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 433,432 – Deaths – 7,910**
>- [The State Of Emergency was extended for a month for 11 prefectures in Japan.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210202_38/)
>- [The first version of the Olympic Playbook was released for the Tokyo Games.](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/feb/03/olympic-athletes-to-be-tested-every-four-days-as-tokyo-publishes-playbook?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) Detailed guidelines for broadcasters, athletes and the media would be released by month’s end with such guidelines as refraining from leaving the hotel or the venue unnecessarily, not taking public transit, or singing or shouting during the competition itself.
>- [Japan passed revised Anti-Virus Laws, in order to effectively levy fines against people or businesses that break anti-virus rules.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210203_43/)
>- [Japan began preparing to administer the Pfizer vaccine to healthcare workers in mid-February.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210216_30/)
>- [A COVID-19 cluster was discovered at an Immigration Facility, as new strain spreads in Japan.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/02/19/national/covid-19-immigration-facility/)
>- [Japan Minister Kono Taro warned of a slower pace of Vaccination for the elderly.](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210221/p2g/00m/0na/014000c)
>- [The Executive Director of the Olympic Games indicated a decision on overseas fans at Tokyo Games would be expected in April.](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210225/p2g/00m/0sp/056000c)
>- [The Head of Tokyo Olympic Committee, Hashimoto Seiko, said she wants to set policy on Tokyo Olympic spectators by March 25.](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210225/p2g/00m/0sp/115000c)
>- [Japan lifted pandemic emergency declaration for 6 prefectures earlier than the March 7th target date.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210226_44/)
>- [The Government announced new measures to bolster watch for virus variants.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210227_17/)
>- [Japan may open border to Olympic athletes from March, according to sources.](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210227/p2g/00m/0sp/078000c)
>- [Japan’s ‘Go To Travel’ campaign will remain suspended after the State Of Emergency is lifted, in spite of comments made by the LDP earlier this month.](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210228/p2g/00m/0na/069000c)
>- [As the month ended, concerns for the planned March end to state of emergency grew, as Tokyo’s infection decline slowed.](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210227/p2a/00m/0na/006000c)
>**January 2021 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 390,687 – Deaths – 5,765**
>- On January 7th, Japan declared a State Of Emergency for the Tokyo Area, as well as Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures. This was modified on January 13th to include Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu, Tochigi and Fukuoka.
>- [Word began circulating that the Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics were uncertain of the Games’ future with the current pandemic raging.](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14091366)
>- [With 3 new variants discovered, Japan expanded restrictions to include those entering Japan on business and began to toughen laws on people who break quarantine.](https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-halts-business-travel-threatens-to-deport-quarantine-violators)
>- The Health Ministry announced a plan to track foreign entrants who test positive for COVID on entry to Japan. The authorities currently register the names and nationalities of foreigners entering Japan at quarantine stations, but the database is separate from the nationwide system called HER-SYS. The Ministry is working to link the two data systems using passport numbers of travelers.
>- [A top Government Official indicated that widespread vaccination in Japan would not be a prerequisite for the Tokyo Olympics to be held in July.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/19/national/tokyo-olympics-coronavirus-vaccine/)
>- [By the end of January, the Government began to make arrangements to extend the SOE for another month, along with adding hard hit prefectures like Okinawa to the list.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/31/national/japan-emergency-coronavirus-extension/)