After more than two years, Japan has fully opened its restriction to foreign visitors due to the pandemic.
The world’s strictest Covid-19 border controls JapanAs of today, the restrictions have ended. Foreign tourists from nearly 70 countries where Japan has a visa exemption program will be able to enter Japan unplanned and unaccompanied.
The country’s entry limit of 50,000 has been lifted, ending the requirement for tourists to travel as part of tour groups, Kyodo news agency reported.
According to the news in the Guardian, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida relies on tourism to stimulate the economy, but the tourism sector will face some challenges.
“TURNING POINT”
Cabinet Chief Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said lifting the border measures was “aimed to increase overseas international interaction with Japan”.
Matsuno said, “We hope to encourage the travel of tourists at home and abroad, and to revive the regions and demand affected by the epidemic.” said.
Tourism Minister Saito Tetsuo also referred to the travel subsidy program, “A landmark day for the national tourism industry.” he spoke
JTB Corp., one of Japan’s largest travel agencies. In response to the increasing travel demand, it also announced that it will “implement comprehensive measures against infections so that people can enjoy traveling.”
From 32 million to 240 thousand
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), approximately 32 million tourists visited Japan in 2019, which coincided with the Covid-19 outbreak.
It was observed that the number of visitor tourists decreased to 4.1 million in 2020 and 240 thousand in 2021, including the periods when the number of epidemic cases broke records.
Japan, which gradually increased the daily passenger limit to 10 thousand, 20 thousand and 50 thousand this year, received less than 8 thousand tourists in July and less than 11 thousand in August.
*The visuals of the news were served by the Associated Press.