##**October 2020 – [Japan continues to be closed to International Tourism at this time.](https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html) Japan’s borders are only re-opened to Foreign Residents of Japan, Japanese Nationals and individuals with special exemptions. In regards to Tourism, discussions have been noted for a possible re-opening in April 2021, but we do firmly suggest that users wait until official Government announcements are made, and protocol established, before booking or rebooking any flights, hotels, or other forms of entertainment for any future trips.**
[**If you are seeking information on re-entry as a Visa Holder, or information on how to renew your Tourist Visa while still in Japan, please check /r/japanlife for more information.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/i5t5fl/coronavirus_megathread_16_travel_entryexit_mail/)
**Note that this is the final Megathread on this topic for that sub, and** [**further questions should be directed to your Embassy Of Japan in the country *your* passport originates in.**](https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html)
One user, /u/esse11e has graciously [provided an excellent writeup on their step-by-step re-entry process recently at Narita Airport](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/ij9dxb/my_experience_reentering_japan_work_visa_left/ ) with the new allowances in place for returning foreign residents.
[**Travel Restrictions Arriving In Japan for transit to another country are noted here on the MOFA Website.**](https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html) Transit through Japan is ONLY possible through Narita Airport or Haneda Airport and you cannot depart either airport without facing quarantine measures, unless you take a cab from one airport to the other – *this is a cost of up to $400.00 USD for a one-way trip.* If you have booked your trip already, or are flying on a rebooked ticket, please speak to your airline right away if you have any further concerns.
[**If you are seeking information on your Work/School related entry, please go to /r/movingtojapan’s Megathread.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/gdqrxl/coronavirus_covid19s_impact_on_moving_to_japan/)
**A backup of the original thread with minor changes is found in our** [**FAQ.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel#wiki_.22i_need_some_information_about_the_covid-19_situation_in_japan._what_do_you_know_at_this_time.3F.22)
**Please check [**here**]( https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/evs3f9/japan_travel_the_2019ncov_and_you_guidelines_on/) for the original post from when this situation began, and [**here**](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/il03v0/japan_travel_covid19_and_you_guidelines_on_travel/) for the most recent thread from this event.**
##**CONFIRMED CASES UPDATE: 10/31**
>**As of this writing, Japan has 102,166 confirmed cases, 1,783 people have died.**
>**NHK News Japan has a graph of existing cases in Japan by prefecture** [**here.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/data/) This breakdown is provided by NHK Japan, and this information is culled from the Ministry of Heath in Japan.
>[**NHK World, the english subsidiary, provides further information and a link to the toll-free information lines for tourists in Japan, as well as daily updates to total infections and deaths.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/tags/82/)
>[**The Japan Times has a Covid-19 Live Thread that is updated daily with relevant information and articles**, as well as links in the side bar for commonly asked, or important information.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/liveblogs/news/coronavirus-outbreak-updates/)
>[**The Johns Hopkins CSSE map is another source for confirmation of cases in Japan and worldwide.**](https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html) [This map](https://mhlw-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/0c5d0502bbb54f9a8dddebca003631b8) shows breakdown by location in Japan specifically.
##**TOURISM NEWS UPDATES**
**10/27** – [**From NHK News – Anti-infection Center To Be Set Up For Tokyo Games.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201027_39/) Officials say that the center will be tasked with recording details on the condition of athletes and others involved in the Games who enter the country to take part. It will also be responsible for tracing the infection route of any confirmed cases.
**10/08** – [**From The Japan Times – Cancel Or Proceed? Public Statements Reignite Debate On Tokyo Games.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/10/08/national/cancel-or-proceed-public-statements-reignite-debate-on-2020-games/) Even if Japan has subdued the virus by then — an unlikely scenario, experts say — the influx of foreigners from countries that haven’t could trigger another major outbreak. With hundreds of thousands of athletes, coaches, trainers, celebrities, journalists, politicians and spectators expected to descend upon the country, one need only imagine the mayhem a single positive test result — let alone a cluster infection — would cause to recognize the gravity of the task at hand.
**10/05** – [**From The Japan Times – Japan Considering Ways To Lift Entry Ban For Foreign Tourists.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/10/05/national/japan-entry-ban-foreign-tourists/) The government plans to draw up countermeasures by January next year while monitoring infection situations at home and aboard, **aiming to start accepting foreign tourists in April next year on a trial basis.** By maintaining these measures even after the end of the Tokyo Games, the government hopes to help the recovery of tourism demand from abroad, the sources said. **Still, Japan faces many challenges before lifting its entry ban on foreign tourists, with details, such as how many tourists should be allowed to enter, still up in the air.**
**10/01** – [**From NHK News – ‘Go To Eat’ Dining-Out Campaign Kicks Off.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201001_09/) Through the program, diners can earn points when they make reservations at restaurants through booking websites. Fifteen booking websites, including Gurunavi and Tabelog, have been designated for the program.
##**MONTHLY SUMMARY**
>**September 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 84,414 – Deaths – 1,588**
>September was a smattering of news regarding tourism, as places like [**Okinawa began to ease a State Of Emergency due to a surge in local cases.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200904_32/) The IOC began to edge towards the idea of [**easing virus restrictions for athletes that would compete in the 2021 Olympics,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200905_01/) and the WHO admitted [**a vaccine that was tested and proven safe would be unlikely until mid-2021.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200905_09/) The IOC did confirm their resolve that [**the 2021 Games would happen, with or without Covid-19,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200907_40/) and by the end of September, they began the task of cutting costs intended to [**simplify the Games in order to have measures in place**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/09/25/olympics/olympics-organizers-agree-52-items-simplifying-tokyo-games/) to counter the pandemic concerns from the international community.
>**August 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 68,200 – Deaths – 1,285**
>As we made our way into August [**concern about Obon in Japan began to rise,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200803_40/) as infections in Tokyo especially began to increase. Tokyo’s Governor began asking residents to refrain from traditional travel to hometowns, and to stay home as much as possible to curb the spread. Meanwhile, the Government worked on plans to convene an expert panel to shore up defense against the virus. [**Full-fledged antigen testing started at Narita,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200803_36/) 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 are 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.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200819_33/) 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. As the month wound down, [**Japan Airlines revealed a new check-in machine for Arrivals to Japan,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200830_17/) Two machines will be tested until September 15. After this, Japan Airlines will decide whether to go ahead with a full-scale roll out of the machines based on passengers’ reactions. All Nippon Airways has allowed passengers traveling with infants, and those transferring from international flights, to complete domestic check-in online. Until recently, the company had requested that such passengers stop by the check-in counter.
>**July 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 35,521 – Deaths – 1,020**
>As July started, [**Tokyo confirmed another 67 cases**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200701_31/) and the Government began to prepare for a possible surge in infections citywide. While the IOC continued to state that [**the decision to hold off on the Olympics in 2021 can wait until later,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200701_38/) Japan began to look to reopening the borders to specific people, [**as certain citizens are already allowed to begin travel to Japan for business and work purposes.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200702_01/) 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) but cases began to rise again in the city and around the country. [**Coronavirus cases exceeded 30,000 in late July,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_03/) and [**the Governor of Tokyo is exploring the possibility of calling another State of Emergency for the city in August.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/31/national/tokyo-second-emergency-coronavirus/) Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki is expected to also declare a state of emergency after the prefecture reported 72 new cases, posting a record for five straight days, according to the Okinawa Times.
>**June 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 18,631 – Deaths – 972**
>In early June, [**Tokyo began the move to Step 2 of the recovery plan**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200601_11/) after the previous SOE was lifted, but faced a spike in infections shortly thereafter. [**They also added another 18 countries to the Ban Entry list**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200605_27/), and confirmed suspiciouns that the [**IOC would require the Olympics to be held in 2021 – or not at all.**](https://japantoday.com/category/2020-tokyo-olympics/it’s-2021-or-never-for-tokyo-confirms-senior-olympic-official) The IOC says they will have a [**plan finalized for the 2021 Olympics in September 2020.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200610_09/) 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. Cancellations continued with the announcement that the Formula 1 race held in Japan would be cancelled this year, but reopenings were also declared at Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disney Parks. [**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. At the end of the month, Japan declared the border closure to continue into July, and [**added another 18 nations to the entry ban.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/06/29/national/japan-adds-17-nations-to-coronavirus-entry-ban/#.Xvn1iyhKiUk)
>**May 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 16,759 – Deaths – 882**
>[**The State of Emergency that began in April was extended in May**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200504_01/) due to the strain presented on the medical system, even though daily infections were seeing a downturn. A mere 10 days later, [**it was revealed the SOE would be lifted in 39 prefectures**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200514_17/), but remain in places like Tokyo, Hokkaido and Osaka to further alleviate concerns with the health care system. [**12 more countries were added to the Travel Ban list**](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/05/0225fba263cd-japan-expands-entry-ban-to-mexico-12-other-countries.html) in the meantime. [**The SOE was later lifted for the areas still covered, such as Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200524_15/) after consultation with the COVID-19 panel. 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,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200521_25/) although the IOC advised they are doing their best to plan for as many possible outcomes as they could. [**Kitakyushu, newly reopened, began to see a rise in the spread of infections**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200528_21/) and immediately began closing attractions to curb the spread. The current round of closures is expected to last until at least June 18th. Finally, after widespread confusion, [**Japan quelled rumours it would pay for half of 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 – and as there is no indication the borders will reopen any time soon it is prudent to advise this will not apply to International tourists at all. As new cases begin to surface again in Tokyo, the Minister in charge of the virus response says there are [**no plans in place to revive the State Of Emergency for Tokyo or Kitakyushu.**](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200531/p2g/00m/0na/044000c)
>**April 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 14,119 – Deaths – 435**
>With the virus increasing in spread [**Japan began increasing travel restrictions into the country on April 3rd,**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200401_35/) including Canada, the UK, Greece and most of Europe. As travel restrictions increased and flights were getting scarce, [**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 was declared, initially for only 7 prefectures, but it was then [**shifted nationwide on April 16th**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200416_38/) further restricting movement to, from, and within the country. On April 29th, [**Japan added 14 more countries to the ban list**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200427_14/), barring citizens or those who had traveled to many parts of Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.
>**March 2020 Summary**
>The reality of the pandemic spread began to set in worldwide and countries began issuing Travel Advisories to their citizens and urging them to return home immediately. 14 day quarantine on arrival for some countries was requested by officials, and towards the end of the month, Japan posted travel bans for citizens from China, Korea, the USA and parts of Europe that were already seeing a large increase in the spread of the virus. [**The Tokyo Olympics were postponed officially, with a re-start date of July 23rd, 2021 being selected.**](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13254665) Trains in Japan began to set slower schedules, due to the lack of tourists and locals traveling in order to curb the spread of the virus.
>**January 2020 Summary**
>**01/31** – The NHK has published an article reporting that JNTO has a phone number to call should tourists *currently in Japan* require assistance. The Japan National Tourism Organization is offering phone consultation services for foreign tourists who are concerned about the new strain of coronavirus. The Japan Visitor Hotline offers 24-hour services in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. The hotline can refer callers who may be infected with the virus to the nearest medical institution. It also provides information on measures to prevent infection such as hand washing and gargling. The organization encourages foreign tourists to call if they have any concerns. The hotline number is 050-3816-2787. Calling from Overseas? Use: +81-50-3816-2787