Japan plans to relax some of the strict travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic. However, many in the tourism industry are urging the government to remove all restrictions immediately.
The country currently has some of the most stringent travel regulations in Asia. Tourists from more than 100 countries are currently only permitted to enter Japan on group tours. To travel, passengers must pass COVID-19 tests and meet other temporary requirements.
Citizens of visa-exempt countries must now apply for a visa before traveling to Japan. However, after receiving very few tourists during the first half of summer 2022, the Japanese government has decided to take a step toward relaxing travel restrictions. According to the Immigration Services Agency, only about 8,000 foreign visitors visited Japan in June and July.
Japan introduced the new eVisa for US and Canadian citizens in an effort to boost tourism. Although visa exemptions remain suspended, this move makes it faster and easier for Americans and Canadians to travel to Japan. The visa application can be completed online rather than visiting an embassy. This digital service also has a faster response time.
Despite this initiative to boost tourism, there is growing pressure from both within and outside the country to do more. Japan’s economy has struggled all year, though it has performed better than expected in recent months. Many in the tourism industry are urging the government to relax all entry restrictions in order to encourage tourists to visit and spend money, thereby boosting the economy.
COVID-19 travel regulations for Japan
Japan’s coronavirus travel restrictions are among the most stringent in Asia. Although the country began to de-escalate its measures in 2021, the arrival of the Omicron variant prompted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to reverse course and re-close the borders.
Despite pressure to reopen the borders to international travel throughout the first half of 2022, Kishida waited until June 1. Even then, only long-term visitors, business travelers, and students with the proper visas were permitted. Tourists can only visit Japan as part of an authorized package tour.
Other constraints remain. The maximum number of visitors per day is 20,000. Passengers who have spent more than 14 days in certain countries are barred from entering Japan. Many pre-pandemic visas have been rendered invalid. Those who are permitted to travel to Japan must first pass a COVID-19 test, fill out a “Quarantine Questionnaire,” and install the “MySOS” app on their phones.
Visa exemption is granted to nationals of certain countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Argentina, and all EU countries, under normal circumstances. This means they only need their passports, not visas, to visit the eastern Asian country on vacation.
Visa exemptions, however, are currently suspended due to COVID-19. Visitors from these countries must now apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy.The availability of eVisa applications for Americans and Canadians is a small step toward resuming travel. However, as the situation improves and the need to boost tourism grows, the Japanese government is likely to continue de-escalating measures.
Japan Tourism 2022
Travel restrictions have had a significant impact on Japanese tourism this year. With arrivals still limited to 20,000 and tourists limited to group tours, 2022 was always going to be a challenging year for the tourism industry. However, only about 8,000 people visited the country in June and July. According to Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, only 252 foreign tourists arrived in June, while 7,900 arrived in July.
This is a fraction of the figures seen in other eastern Asian countries such as Vietnam. According to some Japanese officials, one of the main reasons for these low numbers is that China is currently restricting its own citizens from traveling abroad. China’s tourists flock to Japan. Other significant factors are likely to include Japan’s own policies and anti-COVID-19 measures.
European and American tourists prefer to plan their own vacations rather than join group tours. With additional requirements such as COVID-19 tests and visas, getting to Japan now takes much more effort than it did before the pandemic. This is likely discouraging visitors.
Despite this, tourist numbers continue to rise. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, approximately 8,500 foreign visitors have applied for visas with plans to arrive before the end of August.
source : breakingtravelnews