##**November 2020 – [**Japan is closed to International Tourism at this time,**](https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html) with entry only granted if you are a Foreign Resident of Japan, Japanese National, or an individual with special exemptions. Certain countries have been added to the exemption list as of October 30th, but be advised this is for business purposes only and attempting to enter Japan without the proper documentation may result in being refused boarding at the airport, and any refunds on unused tickets.**
##**Discussions for possible re-opening in April 2021 have been floated – We *firmly suggest* that users wait until official Government announcements are made and protocol for Tourism is established before booking or rebooking any flights, hotels, or other forms of entertainment for any future trips. Posts on this topic will be removed from the sub as there is no indication how this will proceed at this time.**
##**Frequently Asked Questions – November 2020**
[**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 to confirm you are still able to renew and continue your stay if necessary.](http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/) **Questions regarding this topic will be removed.**
[**If you are seeking information on re-entry as a Visa Holder, /r/japanlife has posted a series of Megathreads on re-entry, with the final one having the most information on this process.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/i5t5fl/coronavirus_megathread_16_travel_entryexit_mail/) As this is the final Megathread on this topic for that sub, [**further 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) 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/ ) as a returning foreign resident. **Questions regarding this topic will be removed.**
**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. **Further questions regarding this topic will be removed.**
[**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/) **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.**
**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 Megathreads.**
##**Confirmed Cases, News Sources, and Maps – Updated: 11/29**
>**As of this writing, Japan has 146,214 confirmed cases, 2,123 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 – NOVEMBER 2020**
**11/26** – [**From The Japan Times – Japan May Call New State Of Emergency, Virus Response Chief Warns.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/26/national/japan-virus-emergency-possible/?app) “The next three weeks are critical,” Yasutoshi Nishimura said after a meeting of the government’s coronavirus subcommittee, adding that the declaration of a state of emergency will “enter the field of view” if the virus doesn’t show signs of abating during that period of time.
**11/23** – [**From NHK News – Govt. To Exclude 2 Cities From New Go To Bookings.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201124_03/) On Monday, the governor of Hokkaido suggested that there would be no choice but to include Sapporo on the list of exceptions. The governor of Osaka indicated he will demand that the government do so for Osaka City.
**11/21** – [**From The Japan Times – Government Revises Go To Travel Campaign Amid Nationwide Surge.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/21/national/go-to-travel-coronavirus-surge/) **Japan reported 2,586 new cases of the novel coronavirus as of 9 p.m. Saturday, public broadcaster NHK reported, the fourth consecutive record-breaking day amid an ongoing nationwide surge that began in late October.** Tokyo reported a record-breaking 539 additional cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, after recording 522 on Friday and 534 on Thursday, which together brought the city’s total to more than 37,300 infections cases, along with 476 deaths.
**11/17** – [**From The Japan Times – Tokyo To Raise Alert As Japan Sets Daily Record With 2,000-plus COVID-19 Cases.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/18/national/tokyo-coronavirus-alert-level/) New infections in Japan have reached record-breaking heights on several occasions in November following an abrupt surge that began in late October.
**11/16** – [**From NHK News – IOC Stresses Safety For Tokyo Games Spectators.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201116_36/) Bach also said it is possible that the number of spectators allowed in the Games’ venues will be limited. He expressed confidence that a reasonable number of spectators will be able to attend the Games. But he said the IOC’s first priority is to offer a safe environment.
**11/11** – [**From The Japan Times – Japan Considers Lifting Quarantine For Olympics Spectators From Overseas.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/11/national/japan-quarantine-olympics-spectators-overseas/) While the government has yet to decide whether to allow spectators from abroad to attend the Summer Games, if approved they will likely be required to test negative for the COVID-19 virus multiple times before departure and have their condition monitored after entry into Japan, according to the sources.
**11/09** – [**From NHK News – Tokyo Olympics May Take Hints From NBA And USTA.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/1366/) Bubbles such as the ones run by the NBA and USTA have proven successful, but there are still questions when it comes to an event the size of the Olympics. One obvious issue would be the cost. The NBA bubble, while reportedly saving the league about $1.5 billion in losses it would have incurred from cancelling the playoffs, still cost $190 million to run. Scaling that up to an event the size of the Tokyo Olympics would require an absurd amount of money.
**11/07** – [**From NHK News – Govt. To Step Up Effort Against Cluster Infection.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201108_01/) The government’s panel of experts is expected to discuss how to help foreigners get access to the information they need, taking into account language and cultural barriers they might have.
##**MONTHLY SUMMARY**
>**October 2020 Summary – Confirmed Cases – 102,166 – Deaths – 1,783**
>October’s new was also minimal, barring some specific developments. The Japanese Government began a Go-To Dinging campaign for local dining in Tokyo, in an effort to boost demand for those industries still suffering from low patronization during the pandemic. It was announced that the Government was also 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 tourists, athletes, coaches, trainers, celebrities, journalists, politicians and spectators could trigger another widespread outbreak. As a result, [**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**
>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. 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