Border measures for the new coronavirus will be greatly relaxed from the 11th.

The restrictions on the number of people entering the country will be lifted, and the ban on entry of individual foreign tourists will be lifted.

Specifically, the upper limit of 50,000 visitors per day will be lifted, and the ban on individual foreign tourists will be lifted for the first time in about two and a half years.



In addition to resuming visa exemption measures for short-term visitors visiting from 68 countries and regions such as the United States, South Korea, and the United Kingdom for tourism, it is expected that local airports and ports will gradually resume accepting international flights. .



In addition, all immigrants will not be tested at the time of entry and will not be asked to wait at home after entering the country if they do not have symptoms such as fever.



However, we will continue to require a certificate that you have completed three vaccinations or a negative test result that you received within 72 hours before departure from your destination.



Since the government refused entry in February to foreigners who have stayed in Hubei Province, China, where the spread of infection was first confirmed in the world, various immigration restrictions have been implemented since then. I'm going back to the state before the corona misfortune.



On the other hand, as a measure to stimulate domestic tourism demand, the government will introduce a new nationwide travel support, and an event discount, which offers discounts on ticket prices for watching sports and movies.



Of these, "National Travel Support" will start on the 20th of this month in Tokyo, 9 days behind due to preparations.



In his policy speech last week, Prime Minister Kishida indicated his intention to aim to achieve an annual inbound consumption of over 5 trillion yen, which is higher than before the corona crisis, against the background of the yen's depreciation. Efforts toward this will also be an issue.

"Border measures relaxation" Movement so far

In 2019, before the spread of the new coronavirus, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan was 31.88 million, a 2.3-fold increase in five years, and the annual consumption amounted to 4.8 trillion yen.



However, after the new corona infection was confirmed, the government gradually strengthened border measures, and airlines suspended or reduced international flights one after another.



As a result, the number of foreign tourists in 2020 is 4.11 million, down 87.1% from the previous year, and 240,000 in 2021, down 99.2% from 2019.



From the beginning of this year, measures at the border will be gradually relaxed.



In April, the daily limit on the number of people entering Japan was raised from 7,000 to 10,000 in order to accommodate the number of Japanese returning to Japan and foreign students and other foreigners wishing to enter the country.



Then, in June, we resumed accepting foreign tourists for the first time in about two years, limited to tours with tour conductors.



The daily entry limit has also been increased to 20,000.



However, even after the resumption of acceptance, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan was sluggish, with ▽ 252 in June, ▽ 7,903 in July, and ▽ 10,826 in August.



Travel agencies and other organizations have pointed out that many tourists, mainly to Europe and the United States, prefer to travel on their own, and that it takes time to obtain a visa, which is the reason for the sluggish growth.



From September, the maximum number of visitors per day was raised to 50,000, and tours without a tour guide were permitted for foreigners entering the country for sightseeing purposes.



Under these circumstances, the government will significantly relax border measures, such as exempting short-term visas from the 11th and lifting the ban on individual travel for foreigners.

Organize rules for wearing masks

As the number of people infected with the new coronavirus continues to decline, the government plans to organize the rules for wearing masks.



Regarding the wearing of masks, the government has so far said that they are not necessary outdoors in principle, and are not necessary even indoors if you can keep your distance from others and rarely talk.



Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said last week, "I understand that the overall infection control, including rules for wearing masks, will be organized regardless of whether it is outdoors or indoors. ' said.

Japan and the United States are the only two countries to continue measures requiring presentation of certificates at the G7

Measures to require all immigrants, including returnees, to present a certificate that they have been vaccinated will continue in Japan.



According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan and the United States are the only two countries in the G7 = seven major countries that are taking such measures.

Regarding the future handling, the government will consider the situation of infection in Japan and overseas and the response of each country.

Inquiries about travel to Japan continue to rise in Taiwan

In response to the easing of Japan's border measures, reservations and inquiries for travel to Japan are increasing in Taiwan.



According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, a total of 4.9 million tourists visited Japan from Taiwan in 2019 before the spread of the new coronavirus infection, which is the third largest after China and South Korea. For many, traveling to Japan was gaining popularity.



Since the announcement of the relaxation of Japan's border measures last month, travel agencies in Taiwan have been receiving a series of reservations and inquiries about travel to Japan.



Of these, a major travel agency with a store in Taipei City recently received the most inquiries about trips to Japan as a destination among overseas trips. Plans to enjoy skiing, icebreakers, and hot springs in Hokkaido are popular."



Also, according to this travel agency, the number of bookings for group tours has increased significantly, and about half of the destinations are in Japan, indicating the high popularity.



Lai Yiqing, the head of public relations at a major travel agency in Taiwan, said, "For the past two years, we have been out of business for overseas travel, but since the end of last month, we have received a lot of inquiries and have become very busy. It's very good news for us," he said.

in Hong Kong

More and more people in Hong Kong are planning to travel to Japan.



A couple living in the northern part of Hong Kong visited Japan about three times a year before the spread of the new coronavirus infection, but for the past two and a half years, they have not been able to go even once.



But last month, following the lifting of mandated quarantine measures in Hong Kong, Japan began to allow free personal travel, and I am planning a trip to Japan.



They looked at guidebooks and thought about places to visit, and visited travel agencies to get estimates for air tickets and hotels, and considered specific travel destinations.



In addition, it is said that he has prepared about 600,000 yen as funds to visit currency exchange stores frequently and use them for shopping.



My 48-year-old wife said, "I'm looking forward to traveling to Japan. I want to go there soon. Osaka, Tokyo, Hokkaido, etc. I want to eat and shop."



In addition, her 51-year-old husband commented on not being able to go to Japan for the past two and a half years, saying, "I was very bored because I couldn't go on a trip. Hong Kong people think of Japan as their second home. I want to go for at least 10 days," he said.



Japan is a popular travel destination in Hong Kong, and it is said that there are many repeaters, and in 2019, before the spread of the new coronavirus infection, a total of about 2.3 million people visited Japan.