Since the beginning of October, Japan has re-opened its border to business travelers and non-citizens that reside in Japan for work or for school. Those who are allowed to enter must go into a 14-day quarantine on arrival. However, this policy should change towards the end of this month (October).

Business travelers do not have to undergo a 14-day isolation or quarantine on arrival if they submit a detailed plan to the airport quaratine office about their movements for the next two weeks, as well as information on their accomodation and workplace. Japan has already applied this policy for Singaporeans entering Japan, and plans to do the same for South Koreans from the end of October. There are a number of other countries that this new policy will soon apply to. With this new policy, Japan is expecting to boost their international business activity in the recent months to come.

Another good news for prospective tourists from around the world is that Japan is hoping to welcome all international travellers again by April 2021. Government officials revealed that they are setting up new safety measurements for oversea visitors by January of next year (2021). The COVID-19 countermeasures include a health management app and a dedicated “Fever Health Consultation Support Center”. For those who wish to visit Japan, downloading the health management app is obligatory and visitors must obtain a coronavirus-negative test certificate before their departure to Japan. Visitors whose test result is negative upon arrival will not be required to quarantine. They would just need to report their health status through the app for 14 days. In contrast, people that do test positive will be required to obtain private medical insurance and may have their health monitored.

These new measurements will likely be in place within the next few months, and Japan hopes to start the trial and lift the entry ban for foreign guests by April 2021. However, the government stated that there are currently many unresolved issues with these new measures such as assurance on correct app usage, the number of people allowed in during Olympics (in the summer of 2021) or whether limits should be applied on tourist activities in Japan. Nonetheless, these new measures are exciting news for foreigners who are looking to visit Japan again.

Japan is loosening its restrictions for inbound travelers. So who is allowed to enter Japan now?

Due to the dramatic surge of COVID-19 infection numbers, Japan has closed its border to 159 countries and regions around the world. This entry ban has proven to significantly lower the number of COVID-19 cases in Japan within the last few months.

With the surge of COVID-19 cases under control, Japan began allowing business travelers from some Asian countries (including Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore) in the last few months to visit Japan if they meet certain conditions, such as providing negative COVID-19 test results prior to entry.

Most recently, there have been reports that the Japanese government will begin to reopen its borders by loosening entry restrictions with all countries around the world starting in October. This will allow foreigners with long-term and permanent resident status who traveled outside Japan from the start of the pandemic until now to finally return to the country. Others allowed to return to Japan include foreign students who are not on government grants, those participating in medical faculty and cultural activities, along with athletes.

While there has been reports of the loosening of travel restrictions, the current situation of COVID-19 would need to be re-evaluated by the Japanese government before a final decision will be made. If the government does open its borders to all countries in October as anticipated, there will be a limit of 1000 people permitted to enter each day. Those who are permitted to travel and stay in Japan must also quarantine for two weeks before being out in the general public. Unfortunately, this new eased ban does not apply to tourists who plan to go sightseeing and will stay in Japan for less than 90 days.

Stay tuned as Japan continues to reopen its borders to travelers. Traveling to Japan is just on the horizon!