> TOKYO — Japan will raise the daily cap on entrants into the country and scrap the need for proof of a negative COVID test, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday, though he stopped short of saying whether tourists will be allowed to visit as individuals. The requirement to take a test within 72 hours before departing to Japan has been a major hindrance for both foreigners planning to visit Japan and Japanese citizens considering overseas travel. Japanese and U.S. business groups have been urging Japan to align its border policies with other Group of Seven countries. The gradual manner in which restrictions will be eased points to the challenge of protecting the nation’s large elderly population while keeping pace with the rest of the world in economic reopening. “We will ease the COVID restrictions gradually in view of the needs of people in and outside Japan so that travel to and from Japan will become as smooth as it is for the other Group of Seven economies,” Kishida said. Kishida announced the relaxation of the entry rules from Sept. 7, exempting the need for a preboarding COVID test for people who have received at least three vaccine shots. Kishida also said Japan will lift the daily entry quota from 20,000, without giving a specific figure. “The new quota will be decided in light of the ongoing COVID situation and the quarantine capacity at the border, and will be disclosed as early as possible once decided,” Kishida said. The new quota is expected to be 50,000. Japan had 100,000 visitors a day in 2019, before the outbreak of the pandemic. Some restrictions could remain in place. For instance, tourists with valid visas will likely be allowed to enter on group tours, but they will not now need to be accompanied by a guide. Domestic COVID controls will also be relaxed as the Kishida government pursues a policy of “living with COVID.” Hospitals will be able to waive the requirement to file detailed case reports to local health authorities except for cases involving vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with underlying health issues. The decision to introduce such waivers rests with local authorities. At present, doctors must provide local health authorities with such information as the patient’s medical history and vaccination records. The local health authorities then contact each patient, decide whether they should be hospitalized or recuperate at home, and keep track of their health conditions. Such tasks have placed a heavy burden on the health care system, especially during a surge in cases. The government is considering reducing the quarantine period from the current 10 days, Kishida said. By focusing only on the most vulnerable groups, Kishida said the government hopes that pandemic controls could be relaxed without causing a major increase in the number of serious cases or deaths, and ease the burden on hospitals. “The priority will be on protecting the most vulnerable people, such as elderly, as the number of COVID cases remains elevated,” Kishida said.
– no pre arrival PCR tests required from September 7th – increase in daily numbers from 20,000 to unspecified but probably 50,000 – bunch of changes to how covid numbers are reported – no changes to tourism policies announced today
I might be remembering wrong, but I thought he was going to discuss unguided tours too? I guess we will probably find out at the end of September or something…
Nothing but blowing smoke
Im quite sad that the rules is first changing from the 7th…
Any info on foreign (fully vaccinated) airline crew? My airline is resuming direct flights to Tokyo starting October 30 under the condition that crew is allowed to leave the hotel and can move freely.
Why raise the entry cap, if you are nowhere near the limit and you also don’t allow a new group of people entry? Is this some kind of scenario as with the family and friends visa, that was just quietly added to the immigration rules? *sigh*
Tinkering at the edges to give the appearance of opening up.
I’ve been in contact with a few travel agencies that are currently operating with the current guidelines. the general consensus is that new individual tourism will be 100% orchestrated by them. you do not get to pick your destinations, accommodations, etc..
It’s without a chaperone, but it’s still without autonomy. personally I’m just going to wait it out and hope they drop all of this nonsense soon ):
Just bought the ticket to get back home next January, thank god for this change!
[deleted]
I’ll still be able to enter regardless. Just gotta make sure I don’t catch covid beforehand.
Well, guess I should go get my third dose now.
So,I’m Swiss (4x vaxxed) and my husband is Japanese. The last info I had (1 month ago), is that I have to fill up a form and my husband has to order our new Koseki Tohon. The form basically aks where I will stay, with who, etc. But it’s not a guided tour, right? So technically I could be free to go anywhere?
We have flights booked mid October Does this mean we just have to book hotels / bullet train through a travel agency? Then they will know which city we are in on which date? We were about to reschedule our trip but this seems promising….
Japan now the land of rising sons of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/greener-pastures-japan-now-the-land-of-rising-sons-of-india/articleshow/99046327.cms
15 comments
> TOKYO — Japan will raise the daily cap on entrants into the country and scrap the need for proof of a negative COVID test, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday, though he stopped short of saying whether tourists will be allowed to visit as individuals.
The requirement to take a test within 72 hours before departing to Japan has been a major hindrance for both foreigners planning to visit Japan and Japanese citizens considering overseas travel. Japanese and U.S. business groups have been urging Japan to align its border policies with other Group of Seven countries.
The gradual manner in which restrictions will be eased points to the challenge of protecting the nation’s large elderly population while keeping pace with the rest of the world in economic reopening.
“We will ease the COVID restrictions gradually in view of the needs of people in and outside Japan so that travel to and from Japan will become as smooth as it is for the other Group of Seven economies,” Kishida said.
Kishida announced the relaxation of the entry rules from Sept. 7, exempting the need for a preboarding COVID test for people who have received at least three vaccine shots.
Kishida also said Japan will lift the daily entry quota from 20,000, without giving a specific figure.
“The new quota will be decided in light of the ongoing COVID situation and the quarantine capacity at the border, and will be disclosed as early as possible once decided,” Kishida said.
The new quota is expected to be 50,000. Japan had 100,000 visitors a day in 2019, before the outbreak of the pandemic.
Some restrictions could remain in place. For instance, tourists with valid visas will likely be allowed to enter on group tours, but they will not now need to be accompanied by a guide.
Domestic COVID controls will also be relaxed as the Kishida government pursues a policy of “living with COVID.”
Hospitals will be able to waive the requirement to file detailed case reports to local health authorities except for cases involving vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with underlying health issues. The decision to introduce such waivers rests with local authorities.
At present, doctors must provide local health authorities with such information as the patient’s medical history and vaccination records. The local health authorities then contact each patient, decide whether they should be hospitalized or recuperate at home, and keep track of their health conditions. Such tasks have placed a heavy burden on the health care system, especially during a surge in cases.
The government is considering reducing the quarantine period from the current 10 days, Kishida said.
By focusing only on the most vulnerable groups, Kishida said the government hopes that pandemic controls could be relaxed without causing a major increase in the number of serious cases or deaths, and ease the burden on hospitals.
“The priority will be on protecting the most vulnerable people, such as elderly, as the number of COVID cases remains elevated,” Kishida said.
– no pre arrival PCR tests required from September 7th
– increase in daily numbers from 20,000 to unspecified but probably 50,000
– bunch of changes to how covid numbers are reported
– no changes to tourism policies announced today
I might be remembering wrong, but I thought he was going to discuss unguided tours too? I guess we will probably find out at the end of September or something…
Nothing but blowing smoke
Im quite sad that the rules is first changing from the 7th…
Any info on foreign (fully vaccinated) airline crew? My airline is resuming direct flights to Tokyo starting October 30 under the condition that crew is allowed to leave the hotel and can move freely.
Why raise the entry cap, if you are nowhere near the limit and you also don’t allow a new group of people entry? Is this some kind of scenario as with the family and friends visa, that was just quietly added to the immigration rules? *sigh*
Tinkering at the edges to give the appearance of opening up.
I’ve been in contact with a few travel agencies that are currently operating with the current guidelines. the general consensus is that new individual tourism will be 100% orchestrated by them. you do not get to pick your destinations, accommodations, etc..
It’s without a chaperone, but it’s still without autonomy. personally I’m just going to wait it out and hope they drop all of this nonsense soon ):
Just bought the ticket to get back home next January, thank god for this change!
[deleted]
I’ll still be able to enter regardless. Just gotta make sure I don’t catch covid beforehand.
Well, guess I should go get my third dose now.
So,I’m Swiss (4x vaxxed) and my husband is Japanese. The last info I had (1 month ago), is that I have to fill up a form and my husband has to order our new Koseki Tohon. The form basically aks where I will stay, with who, etc. But it’s not a guided tour, right? So technically I could be free to go anywhere?
We have flights booked mid October
Does this mean we just have to book hotels / bullet train through a travel agency? Then they will know which city we are in on which date? We were about to reschedule our trip but this seems promising….