Japan welcomes back foreign visitors, after two long years of closed borders

Starting June 10, international tourists can again visit Japan, if part of an organized tour.

Yet, Tadashi Shimura, president of Japan Association of Travel Agents, explained that the main priority of the country’s authorities is increasing local travel, as domestic tourism significantly boosts Japan’s GDP.

According to a recent JATA report, from 28 trillion yen ($211 billion) representing the total tourism sector revenue during 2019, 80% came from domestic travel. At the same time, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, local tourists still brought 9.2 trillion yen to the country’s economy in 2021.

Closed borders translated into huge loss for the economy, as “about 10 trillion yen over the past two years” were lost, commented Shimura, while citing data by Nomura Research Institute.

Ejaz Ahmed, research analyst for the Economist Intelligence Unit, explained that Japan welcomed 32 million international visitors in 2019 and aims to attract 40 million in 2022. Due to the pandemic, on the other hand, only 250,000 foreign tourists visited the country during last year.

The daily limit in the number of visitors has increased from 10.000 to 20.000 in June, and is expected to grow to 30.000 people in July. The numbers are still low, as Japan used to receive 140.000 per day before the pandemic, Shimura explained.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, travellers are subjected to several restrictions, depending on the country or region of residence, classified into three categories of risk — blue, red and yellow.

Tourists from 98 countries in the blue category are not required tests, quarantine or vaccination proof upon entry. Visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and China can now enjoy these new privileges. For the people from the 99 countries in the “yellow” category, including India, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, proof of Covid-19 full vaccination is required. “Red” countries arrivals, including Fiji, Pakistan and Sierra Leone, are subjected to testing upon entry and a three to seven days quarantine period.

Moreover, during the country’s gradual border reopening, visitors must abide the rules requiring face masks, hand sanitation and private health insurance or will risk to be sent back home.

Nevertheless, there are voices claiming that the latest official requirements are extremely unfriendly to travellers. Kenji Shibuya, epidemiologist and research director at the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, explains the situation:

“The government is treating Japanese and foreign tourists differently and the differences can’t be scientifically explained. There’s no evidence that being accompanied by tour guides will lower the risks of infection. In endemic situations, it should be left to individuals to manage their own risks.”

As for the moment, travel agencies are offering packaged tours to selected destinations in Japan, including famous cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Prices start at $2,698 per person.

 

Source: cnbc.com, bloomberg.com