The new corona virus's border measures have been greatly eased from the 11th.
The limit on the number of people entering the country has been lifted, and the ban on entry of individual foreign tourists has been lifted.
While welcome voices are raised at airports and tourist spots in Japan, discussions continue over the wearing of masks.
Narita Airport Voices of welcome from overseas tourists
At Narita Airport on the 11th, people arriving from overseas presented their vaccination certificates and negative certificates and headed for immigration.
A man from Malaysia who visited for sightseeing with his family said, "Even if you want to get a visa, it takes two months, so it's wonderful that the ban has been lifted for individual foreign tourists. I'm looking forward to going," he said.
A woman who stopped by Japan for sightseeing on her way back to the United States from Vietnam said, "It feels like a very long time since I was unable to enter the country for sightseeing on my own. I want to go to Shibuya's scramble crossing and eat sushi and ramen." rice field.
Entry ban lifted for individual foreign tourists
Specifically, the upper limit of 50,000 visitors per day has been lifted, and the ban on individual foreign tourists other than tours has been 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 unless they have symptoms such as fever, and will not be asked to wait at home after entering the country.
However, we will continue to require the presentation of a certificate that you have completed three vaccinations or a negative test result that you received within 72 hours before the departure of your stay.
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, but almost all of them have been affected by the corona virus. It will revert to its previous state.
On the other hand, as a measure to stimulate domestic tourism demand, the government has launched a new nationwide travel support program and an event discount program that offers discounts on ticket prices for sports games and movies.
Of these, "national travel support" will start on the 20th of this month, nine days later due to preparations in Tokyo.
In his policy speech last week, Prime Minister Kishida indicated his intention to aim to achieve annual inbound consumption exceeding 5 trillion yen, which is higher than before the corona crisis, due to factors such as the weaker yen. It will be an issue.
Kansai Airport welcome with banners and souvenirs
At Kansai Airport, Kansai local governments and economic organizations welcomed the arrivals from overseas by holding up banners and handing out souvenirs.
A 44-year-old man from the United States said, "I was planning to go to South Korea, but today was the first day that Japan was opened, so I changed my plans and came to Japan. It was my first visit to Japan, and I was in Osaka and Kyoto. , I want to visit Tokyo and learn about Japanese culture and life."
A 35-year-old British man from Vietnam said, "I've always wanted to come to Japan, and in the last two years my wish came true, but I was finally able to come. I am looking forward to staying for a week and eating real Japanese food such as ramen and sashimi."
A 24-year-old woman from South Korea said, "I came here today because I no longer need a visa. I'm looking forward to staying here for five days, visiting Universal Studios Japan, and eating sushi and sukiyaki." .
Shosaku Higashino, head of the General Planning Office at the Kansai Tourism Headquarters, which is made up of local governments and economic organizations, said, “Today is a long-awaited and memorable day. I am looking forward to your visit," he said.
Tourists to Japan at the airport in Taiwan
Many tourists heading to Japan were already seen at Taiwanese airports.
At Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport, many travelers who wanted to go to Japan as early as the early morning of the 11th made a long line at the check-in counter.
According to a major Taiwanese travel agency, the popularity of travel to Japan is increasing due to the weak yen, and the number of reservations for overseas airline tickets is highest in Osaka, followed by Tokyo.
A man in his 30s heading to Osaka with his mother and a female friend said, "I'm very happy. When the easing of border measures was announced, I immediately bought an airline ticket. I couldn't leave Taiwan for many years, so I went with my mother. I want to have fun together," he said.
In addition, a woman in her 20s who traveled to Kyushu with her family said that she spent the night at the airport last night to catch an early morning flight, saying, "As soon as I arrive in Japan, the schedule for today's trip will be completed. It's going to start. It's hard, but it's worth the hard work."
On the other hand, since the border measures will be relaxed in Taiwan from the 13th, the travel industry is expecting an increase in the number of tourists visiting Taiwan from Japan.
Hotels in Nikko are booking more foreign tourists
Hotels in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, which is home to one of Japan's leading tourist destinations, are seeing an increase in reservations from foreign tourists, and voices of welcome are rising.
"Turtle Inn Nikko", which is located very close to the world heritage Nikko Toshogu Shrine, is a popular hotel among foreign tourists. is.
At one point, the number of customers dropped sharply due to the spread of the new coronavirus, and sales fell from 10% before the spread of infection to about 20%.
However, from the 11th, as the ban on individual trips for foreign tourists has been lifted due to the relaxation of measures at the border, reservations are gradually increasing from the end of this month to next month, when the fall foliage season is approaching, and have already reached nearly 50. It means that
The hotel wants to thoroughly implement infection control measures, such as calling on all guests to wear masks frequently so that they can spend their time with peace of mind.
Kinya Fukuda, the owner of the hotel, said, "I'm very happy that individual foreign tourists have made reservations right away, and I think it will lead to the future. Masks are different customs, but it's not rude. I would like you to enjoy the good points of Nikko while making a request."
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.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato said that the government's rule that ``wearing a mask outdoors is not necessary in principle'' has not been shared with the public, and has expressed his intention to convey it through various opportunities.
Regarding the wearing of a mask as a countermeasure against the spread of the new coronavirus, the government has set rules that, in principle, it is not necessary to wear a mask outdoors.
At a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato said, ``It is difficult to say that the government's idea of wearing a mask at the moment is fully shared with the public.'' .
On top of that, ``When I talk to locals, I hear that ``If you remove the mask, the public will look at you.'' I have to do PR firmly on such occasions."
Keikyu Electric Railway considers calling for wearing masks in multiple languages
The guidelines for infection control compiled by the government and railway companies call for passengers to cooperate in wearing masks, but there are already places where wearing masks is not required overseas, and how to disseminate them with the relaxation of border measures. The issue is how to proceed.
Keikyu Electric Railway, which operates at Haneda Airport, has been taking measures against infection such as disinfection and calling for wearing masks in Japanese, but in the future, for foreign tourists who are expected to increase, We are considering whether to call out in Chinese and Korean.
On the other hand, the government has indicated a policy to organize the rules for wearing masks, so Keikyu Corporation wants to decide on a response while watching future trends in the country.