After over two and half years of tight COVID-19 regulations, the Prime Minister of Japan announced on Thursday that visa-free tourists will be permitted. He also announced they will lift the daily entry cap as of October 11.
Read Japanese Visa Exempt Countries for the lists of the countries.
In addition, the government will begin a national travel discount scheme. It was on hold because of the rise of COVID-19 cases.
“I hope many people will utilize it. I want to support the travel, entertainment, and other industries that have been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.”, said Kishida.
The Prime Minister also stated that they will lift the daily arrival quota of 50,000 people. Tourists no longer need to reserve a tour package and are able to travel alone.
However, tourists must ensure they vaccinate three times and have negative COVID-19 results ahead of their trip.
What’s more, starting from October, 11 they will launch a national program for domestic travel. The program provides savings on airfare, park admission, sporting events, and concerts. It also provides up to 11,000 yen ($77) in financial aid per participant for a single night’s stay.
Prior to the pandemic, 69 nations were exempted from visa requirements for travel to Japan. Tourists could also stay for up to 90 days depending on their country’s regulations.
In 2019, there were over 32 million visitors to Japan. However, the number declined during the pandemic.
Source: The Japan Times