##**UPDATED – January 2021 – [**Japan has indicated further restrictions on Entry to the country.**](https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-halts-business-travel-threatens-to-deport-quarantine-violators) It seems as though all non-resident Foreign Nationals will be barred from newly entering the country regardless of whether a COVID-19 variant has been discovered within their country and it seems Business Travel will also be included in these restrictions as well. *Again, we strongly urge you to check with the Embassy of Japan in your departure county to confirm your entry*.**
##**(UPDATED) Travel and Tourism in 2021 – In December 2020, two articles from The Japan Times indicated International Tourism is expected to resume in July 2021 for the Olympics, while tourist groups from Asian countries like China and Taiwan may be allowed as early as April 2021. With the increase in cases, detection of new variants and the current strain on the healthcare system, we are awaiting further information on details regarding entry for Tourism. Posts on this topic will continue to be restricted until there is an official release from the Government when this decision will be made. We DO NOT ADVISE booking ANY travel at this time.**
##**Tokyo Olympics 2021 – Information regarding ticket sales and refunds for the 2021 Olympics have been noted as follows: Ticket refunds requested by previous ticket holders are being processed, and new sales will be determined by the amount of seats available to the public once Covid-19 measures are agreed upon and applied to the Olympic Venues in 2021. There is no firm date yet for a release of tickets, and we DO NOT ADVISE booking ANY tickets related to the Olympics until further announcements have been made.**
##**Frequently Asked Questions – January 2021**
>- **UPDATED – If you are seeking information on *first time entry with the new restrictions*, please go to** [**/r/movingtojapan’s Megathread.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/kl3xqv/new_covid19_entry_restrictions_discussion/) As this is a new Megathread on this topic for that sub, [**urgent questions should be directed to the Embassy Of Japan in the country *your* passport originates in.**](https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html) **We DO NOT field questions about working in Japan, moving to Japan, or going to school in Japan in this sub. Questions regarding these topics will be removed and redirected.**
>- **UPDATED – If you are seeking information on *re-entry with the new restrictions*, please go to** [**/r/japanlife’s Megathread.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/kjkqnt/covid19_discussion_thread_25_december_2020/) As this is a new Megathread on this topic for that sub, [**urgent questions should be directed to the Embassy Of Japan in the country *your* passport originates in.**](https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html) **Questions regarding this topic will be removed and redirected.**
>- **If you are looking to renew your Tourist Visa while in Japan, 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 and redirected.**
>- **Are you arriving in Japan for transit through 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 and redirected**
>- [**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 updated when closures and re-openings occur, the most recent State Of Emergency clearly affecting many locations in Tokyo due to the serious increase in infections.
**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 Megathreads from 2020.**
##**Confirmed Cases, News Sources, and Maps – Updated: 01/31**
>**As of this writing, Japan has 390,687 confirmed cases, and 5,765 people have died.**
>- [**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 Heath 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/) Also updates with news and confirmed cases, and tends towards longer articles with more sources in regards to the pandemic, travel, and tourism in Japan.
##**TOURISM NEWS UPDATES – January 2021**
**01/30** – [**From NHK News – Lifting state Of Emergency Seen As Difficult.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210130_05/) The measure was initially declared for the Tokyo region in early January to curb a surge in coronavirus cases. It was later expanded to cover Osaka and other areas, and is set to run until February 7. Daily infections have fallen over the past week compared to the previous week, but the medical system remains under strain. Elderly people, who have higher risk of developing serious symptoms, make up a growing proportion of cases.
**01/26** – [**From NHK News – ANA To Halt International Flights On 16 Routes.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210126_33/)
[**ANA said on Tuesday that the services to be halted in its new schedule from March 28 through October 30 include those from Narita Airport near Tokyo to New York, as well as to San Francisco. ANA said it would also reduce the number of flights between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Los Angeles, Sydney, and Bangkok. The scale of operations for the period is likely to be about half of last year’s initial plan.**](https://www.anahd.co.jp/group/en/pr/202101/20210126.html) ANA has now cut about 80 percent of the international flights that had initially been planned.
**01/25** – [**From NHK News – ANA To Cut International Flights In Summer By 50%**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210125_30/) **The company will apply the reduction from March 28 through October 30.** ANA will halt flights on 16 international routes, including from Narita to New York, and put the brakes on starting service from Haneda Airport to Istanbul and Stockholm. Pilots will fly smaller planes on the international routes it is keeping to reduce total seating by half.
**01/19** – [**From The Japan Times – Japan Says COVID-19 Vaccines Not A Prerequisite For Tokyo Olympics.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/19/national/tokyo-olympics-coronavirus-vaccine/) **The top government spokesman said Tuesday that the widespread distribution of coronavirus vaccines is not a prerequisite for going ahead with this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. “We are considering comprehensive measures to hold a safe and secure games, even without making vaccines a condition,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a news conference.** Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s administration has remained adamant that the Olympics and Paralympics, postponed last year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, will be held from late July through early September, despite public skepticism as infections in the country continue to surge. Around 80% of respondents in a Kyodo News survey conducted this month said the games should be rescheduled again or canceled. […] The government plans to make a decision in the spring on whether to allow spectators at the Tokyo Games. Last year, the one-year postponement of the games was decided just before the torch relay was set to begin. **This time, the focal point is whether the government is able to lift the state of emergency before the start of the torch relay, set for March 25 in Fukushima Prefecture.**
**01/16** – [**From NHK News – Japan To Boost Tracking Of Foreigners With COVID.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210117_04/) Japan’s health ministry plans to establish a system to effectively track foreign nationals who tested positive for coronavirus after entering the country. 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, which was launched last May to grasp the country’s coronavirus situation in real time. The ministry is now working to link the two data systems using the passport numbers of travelers so that health authorities across the country can share the information swiftly. Officials plan to connect the two systems later this month.
**01/13** – [**From Nikkei Asia News – Japan Halts Business Travel; Threatens To Deport Quarantine Violators.**](https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-halts-business-travel-threatens-to-deport-quarantine-violators) **The Japanese government will restrict the entry of all nonresident foreign nationals, halting business travel agreements reached with 11 partners including China and South Korea, in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The suspension will start as early as Thursday as Japan’s state of emergency expands beyond Greater Tokyo. It is expected to last until Feb 7.**
**01/13** – [**From NHK News – Japan Expands State Of Emergency.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210113_31/) Now included are Tochigi, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Gifu, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka.
**01/13** – [**From NHK News – Japan To Suspend Entry Of All Foreigners.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210113_23/) The government plans to suspend the entry of travelers, regardless of whether a coronavirus variant has been detected in their country, as part of its tighter entry restrictions following the declaration of a state of emergency. No foreigners will be allowed to enter Japan, except for special reasons, such as a relative’s funeral or childbirth.
**01/11** – [**From NHK News – Govt. Expanding State Of Emergency To 3 More Prefectures.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210111_19/) The meeting came after the governors of Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto on Saturday requested that the central government expand its state of emergency to cover their region. Suga said on an NHK program on Sunday that he is aware of the current critical situation and that the government is ready to respond whenever needed. The government is also expected to consider including two central prefectures, Aichi and Gifu, under the measure. The two governors are planning to make a request as early as Tuesday.
**01/10** – [**From NHK News – New Variant Of Coronavirus Detected In Japan.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210110_21/) Japan’s health ministry says **four people who arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport earlier this month were infected with a coronavirus variant different from those found in Britain and South Africa.** The ministry says **the four people are in their teens to their 40s and all of them had stayed in the state of Amazonas in Brazil.** They were **found to be infected with the coronavirus at Haneda on January 2.** The **National Institute of Infectious Diseases analyzed their samples and found the virus is a new strain. This is the first time this particular coronavirus variant has been detected in airport quarantine checks in Japan.**
**01/09** – [**From NHK News – Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto To Seek State Of Emergency.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210109_10/) Yoshimura stressed the need for a revision to a special law that would enable a better response to the coronavirus outbreak. He called on lawmakers to start deliberating the revision right after the next Diet session opens later this month. Hyogo Governor Ido Toshizo said his prefecture had seen record numbers of cases for three days in a row. He said a state-of-emergency declaration needs to allow authorities to take focused and flexible measures in certain areas and industries.
**01/08** – [**From The Asahi Shimbun – Organizers Express Doubts About Hosting Tokyo Olympics.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14091366) The event, which was postponed last year as the novel coronavirus pandemic spread, is scheduled to start within 200 days. However, the virus situation has since worsened in the Tokyo metropolitan area, prompting the government on Jan. 7 to declare a monthlong state of emergency for the capital and three surrounding prefectures. **“The Tokyo Olympics could be canceled if the state of emergency is not lifted by March,” an official of Tokyo’s organizing committee said.**
**01/07** – [**From The Japan Times – Japan Will Consider Expanding Coronavirus State Of Emergency If Needed.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/08/national/japan-emergency-suga-coronavirus/) Osaka Prefecture is considering asking the central government to add it and two neighboring prefectures — Kyoto and Hyogo — to the emergency declaration. The Osaka Prefectural Government is eyeing the move as the daily number of new COVID-19 cases continue to soar to fresh highs. Aichi Prefecture is also considering the possibility of asking to be added to the state of emergency as infections there surge.
**01/07** – [**From NHK News – Japan Declares State Of Emergency For Tokyo Area.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210107_46/) The declaration will cover Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures. It will go into effect on Friday and remain in place until February 7. A state of emergency is less strict in Japan than in many western countries. Prefectural governors will have the legal authority to urge residents to cooperate with prevention efforts. Bars and restaurants will be asked to close by 8 p.m. and to stop serving alcohol an hour earlier. Residents will also be asked to refrain from non-essential outings after 8 p.m. Companies will be asked to encourage remote work, and reduce the number of staff in their offices by 70 percent. The number of spectators at live events will be limited to half of the available seats… and no greater than 5,000.
**01/05** – [**From The Japan Times – Suga Expected To Declare Second Emergency For Tokyo Area.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/04/national/suga-coronavirus-emergency-declaration/) While Suga has yet to clarify when, where or for how long the declaration would take effect,
**media reports speculate the order could be handed down this week and target Tokyo and the prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama.** “The government will begin to consider declaring a state of emergency in Tokyo and its neighboring prefectures,” Suga said Monday during the first news conference of the year. **“New cases have not declined. On the contrary, they continue to climb which means stronger measures are necessary.”**
**01/05** – [**From The Japan Times – Japan marks record highs for new COVID-19 cases and deaths.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/05/national/tokyo-coronavirus-over-1200/) **Tokyo confirmed 1,278 new infections, its second highest daily tally on record after the 1,337 cases reported on Dec. 31.** The figure is also the highest for a Tuesday, after 856 cases were recorded on Dec. 29. The number of severely ill patients based on Tokyo’s standards rose to 111 on Tuesday, up by three from the previous day and the most on record for the capital. The cumulative number of infections in the capital stood at 64,752.
**01/05** – [**From NHK News – Panel Urges Govt. To Declare State Of Emergency.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210106_02/) The panel says that the infection is taking on aspects that have never been seen before, pointing out that the virus is likely to spread in local areas in addition to the large cities. It also says cluster infections has become multifaceted. It warns that the virus could spread nationwide unless the infections in the metropolitan areas are brought under control. The panel says movement of people is not decreasing. It says that healthcare services are under increasingly severe strain and a record number of new cases is registered each day in Tokyo.
**01/04** – [**From NHK News – Tokyo, 3 Prefectures To Launch COVID-19 Measures.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210104_32/) Tokyo and the three prefectures will call on residents to refrain from non-essential outings after 8 p.m. from Friday until the end of the month. They will also request drinking establishments to close by 8 p.m. and stop serving alcohol by 7 p.m. for a four-day period starting on Friday. Such restrictions will cover all establishments, regardless of whether they serve alcohol or not, for a 20-day period from January 12 through January 31.
**01/04** – [**From NHK News – Tokyo And 3 Prefectures To Finalize Stricter Steps.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210104_04/) Sources close to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government say its officials are considering requesting restaurants to move up their closing time 2 hours from the currently requested time of 10 p.m. They say consultations are ongoing between Tokyo and the three prefectures where infections are surging. Officials are reportedly discussing whether the three prefectures can take the same steps that Tokyo is considering.
**01/03** – [**From The Japan Times – Japanese Government Doubts Effectiveness Of Any Emergency Declaration.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/03/national/emergency-declaration-doubts/) Even under such circumstances, the government is still ambivalent about declaring a state of emergency, believing that strongly requesting restaurants and other establishments to suspend their operations or shorten their business hours would be more effective in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
**01/01** – [**From Nikkei Asia – Tokyo To Ask Government To Declare A State Of Emergency.**](https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Tokyo-to-ask-government-to-declare-a-state-of-emergency) The metropolitan government has been requesting restaurants and other establishments to shorten their hours and to close by 10 p.m, but this has not had a significant effect, and officials have now decided to request the government to issue a declaration so that it can take stronger measures.
##**MONTHLY SUMMARY**
>**December 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 236,464 – Deaths – 3,505**
>- [IOC and Tokyo 2020 Organizers began processing refunds for the cancelled dates,](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201203_29/) and advised that resales will be based on maximum numbers allowed in the Venues – which should be decided in the Spring of 2021.
>- [Japan indicated it plans to allow large-scale tourism in to the country for the Olympics,](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/02/national/overseas-visitors-olympics/) with qualifications for entry being discussed by organizers and the Government.
>- [Japan also announced limited resumption of tourism in the Spring from Asian countries,](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/06/national/japan-inbound-tourism-coronavirus/) like China and Taiwan through tourist groups. These groups would have to adhere to restrictions such as travel only by hired vehicles, and use of a tracing app to log daily updates on their health.
>- [As a result, Japan launched a Health Monitor Center for inbound tourism.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/09/national/japan-health-center-tourists-coronavirus/) **Tourists will be required to register their passport numbers with the center and input daily updates on their health condition for two weeks, the sources said. If a person is suspected to be infected with the virus, the center will provide consultations, available in multiple languages, and the information gathered at the center will be made available to public health centers and prefectural governments. […] All Travelers will be required to take a polymerase chain reaction test for the virus, submit the results before entry and buy medical insurance, among other conditions.**
>- The Ministry and Keisei Electric Railway began preparations for accepting International tourists [by designating cars for use on Express Trains departing from Narita Airport.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201211_02/) The arrivals will be asked to use designated routes in the airport and train stations to prevent mixing with other passengers. They will also be asked to use hire cars or private vehicles from Keisei-Ueno Station. If any of them are later confirmed to be infected, their personal identification information and train seat reservation numbers will be used to trace close contacts.
>- But as the third wave began to crest in Japan, [locals expressed serious concerns, and outright rejection of the Olympics being held in 2021 – or at all.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/15/national/most-oppose-holding-olympics/)
>- By late December, the news for those seeking entry was not good as [Japan halted new entries of foreigners](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/27/national/japan-entry-foreign-nationals-coronavirus/) in response to a newly discovered variant in the UK and South Africa. This closure is set to end January 31st, 2021 but will be revised closer to the expiry for the safety of Japan and its citizens.
>- Japan announced that it continues working on the [tracking system for foreigners](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/27/national/japan-tracking-system-travelers-overseas-coronavirus/) intended to assist during the influx of tourism expected for the 2021 Games.
>- [The Go To Travel campaign is suspended for the Christmas and New Years’ holiday,](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/29/national/go-to-travel-suspension-tourism/) in an attempt to curb the explosion of the virus in the last 30 days. Resumption is set for January 11th, 2021, but this will rely heavily on the ability of individuals to stay home and flatten the curve.
>- [A State Of Emergency could be declared again](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201231_02/) in Japan as a result of the current spread of COVID-19 and the arrival of variants from overseas in the past week.
>- [Japan begins expanding Airport Quarantine Measures](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201230_11/) and adding more countries to the Ban List, based on the discovery of the UK and South African variants of COVID-19 in those locations.
>**November 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 151,734 – Deaths – 2,206**
>- Early November saw the Government begin to step up efforts against cluster infections in Japan, as cases again began to rise with Christmas holidays and New Years’ festivities on the horizon.
>- [Olympic organizers began to scrutinize the response from other major sporting groups in an effort to develop of plan for the 2021 Olympics.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/1366/)
>- [Japan also began to consider lifting quarantine for Olympic spectators from overseas.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/11/national/japan-quarantine-olympics-spectators-overseas/)
>- [By mid-November, Tokyo raised the alert as Japan sets a daily record with 2,000-plus COVID-19 cases.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/18/national/tokyo-coronavirus-alert-level/)
>- [This led to the Government to revise the Go To Travel Campaign amid the Nationwide surge in infections.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/21/national/go-to-travel-coronavirus-surge/) Cities began to be excluded from the Go To Travel campaign entirely as hospitals began to strain under the admitted cases.
>- [The end of November saw a frank warning from the Virus Response Chief in Japan,](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/26/national/japan-virus-emergency-possible/?app) as a new State Of Emergency is floated if the virus is not brought under control by late December – in time for the holidays.
>**October 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 102,166 – Deaths – 1,783**
>- The Government is considering [ways to lift the Tourism shutdown imposed on International travel on a trial basis](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/10/05/national/japan-entry-ban-foreign-tourists/) earlier than the expected re-opening date of July for the Tokyo Olympics.
>- [Public opinion is reigniting debate on the Games,](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/10/08/national/cancel-or-proceed-public-statements-reignite-debate-on-2020-games/) as there is a high likelihood that the influx of non-residents could trigger another widespread outbreak.
>- [Specialized contact tracing methods are being developed](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201027_39/) to adapt to the massive scale of the work required to keep as many people safe as possible.
>**September 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 84,414 – Deaths – 1,588**
>- The IOC looks at easing virus restrictions for athletes that would compete in the 2021 Olympics, confirms the 2021 Games would happen with or without Covid-19, and began the task of cutting costs intended to [to counter the pandemic concerns from the international community.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/09/25/olympics/olympics-organizers-agree-52-items-simplifying-tokyo-games/)
>**August 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 68,200 – Deaths – 1,285**
>- Full-fledged antigen testing started at Narita, in preparation for re-opening the borders to business entry, and allowance of residents to return home. This test is saliva based, allowing a faster return time on results, but all new arrivals to Japan were still required to comply with a 14 day quarantine – many in hotels before they can return to their proper residences.
>- Late August confirmed what many had feared – **Japan was enduring a second wave of the outbreak of COVID-19.** Tateda Kazuhiro of Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases said, “We are now in the midst of a second wave. People may think coronavirus infections have peaked out, both in Tokyo and nationwide. But we need to closely monitor the situation for whether a resurgence is underway.” Tateda said the situation may be worse now than a few months back.
>- The Japanese Government finally announced that re-entry for Residents of Japan with certain statuses would be allowed as of September 1st. [**Detailed on the MOFA website,**](http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001327497.pdf) **this opens up the borders for Foreign Residents who have status for re-entry – namely “Permanent Resident”, ”Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” and “Long Term Resident” (including the spouse of a Japanese national or Japanese child who does not have these statuses of residence; the same applies hereinafter) – and those who have special exceptional circumstances as noted by the Embassy of their home country.**
>**July 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 35,521 – Deaths – 1,020**
>- [Major airports began to set up PCR test centers to help restore Int’l travel.](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200702/p2a/00m/0na/006000c)
>- Coronavirus cases exceeded 30,000 in late July, and the Governor of Tokyo explored the possibility of calling another State of Emergency for the city in August.
>**June 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 18,631 – Deaths – 972**
>- IOC confirmed they would require the Olympics to be held in 2021 – or not at all. The IOC says they will have a plan finalized for the 2021 Olympics in September 2020.
>- Mid-month, the Japanese government revealed it was beginning a [plan to allow up to 250 businesspeople into the country each day](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/06/11/national/japan-250-business-travelers-four-countries-daily/#.XuI2-UVKiUk) from areas like Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam.
>- [Businesspeople from Vietnam became the first to be allowed into the country](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/06/cd172dae467b-urgent-travel-from-japan-to-vietnam-to-partially-resume-this-week-motegi.html) after a long closure to flights due to the virus.
>**May 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 16,759 – Deaths – 882**
>- The State of Emergency that began in April was extended in May due to the strain presented on the medical system, even though daily infections were seeing a downturn.
>- It was also revealed that if the Tokyo Olympics could not go on in 2021 due to COVID-19 spread, they would be cancelled outright – although the IOC advised they are doing their best to plan for as many possible outcomes as they could.
>- Finally, after widespread confusion, [Japan quelled rumours it would pay for half of international tourists’ expenses](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/05/27/national/japan-wont-pay-half-visitors-expenses/#.XtCSwDpKiUk) as a poorly sourced article had indicated. This article was clarified in english to state that the credit would only apply to local, domestic tourism within the country, which began the Go To Travel Campaign in Japan.
>- As new cases begin to surface again in Tokyo, the Minister in charge of the virus response says there were no plans in place to revive the State Of Emergency for Tokyo or other cities in Japan.
>**April 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 14,119 – Deaths – 435**
>- Japan began increasing travel restrictions into the country on April 3rd.
>- [Foreigners were given an automatic Visa Renewal of 3 months,](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/04/504b65db2f19-foreigners-given-extra-3-months-to-renew-stay-due-to-coronavirus.html) no application necessary.
>- A State of Emergency is declared, further restricting movement to, from, and within the country.
>- On April 29th, Japan added more countries to the ban list, barring citizens or those who had traveled to many parts of Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.
>**March 2020 Summary**
>- A World Wide Pandemic is declared, and Japan begins to close borders to International Travel, as travel advisories are issued worldwide, and citizens are asked to return to their home countries.
>- [**The Tokyo Olympics are postponed officially, with a re-start date of July 23rd, 2021 being selected.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13254665)