Japan to accept foreign tourists for first time since 2020

A family is reunited on March 1 for the first time in 10 months at Narita Airport. Asahi Shimbun file photo Japan will allow foreign tourists to enter the country for the first time since early 2020, when the border was closed for travelers to prevent novel coronaviruses infections.

Small group tours will be allowed into Japan from four countries, the United States, Australia, Thailand and Singapore on a trial basis.

Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito said at a news conference on May 17 that the plan will be moved forward while trying to achieve a balance between socio-economic activities and anti-coronaviruses measures.

The four countries are not included in the Japanese government's list of tightened border control against novel coronaviruses variants. The infection situations in those countries have stabilized, according to the government.

The tourists must be triple vaccinated and will be accompanied by tour conductors from travel agencies.

The tours destinations in Japan will only be limited to areas where local governments have given the green light.

After examining the effectiveness of anti-infection measures in the trial run and the responses to cases in which tour participants become infected, the central government will draw up guidelines for travel agencies and accommodation facilities.

If the government decides that tours can be conducted without spreading infections, it will consider accepting more tourists.

Japan has allowed a limited number of business visitors and foreign students to enter the country since March.

Since the government has decided to relax border controls, the travel industry and airline companies have been calling on the government to accept foreign tourists.

The government plans to double the daily entry cap from June to 20,000.

With careful assessments of the infection situation after the Golden Week holidays, we would like to allow smooth entry into Japan as in other G -- 7 nations, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters on May 16.