The Japanese government has eased travel restrictions on business travellers, raising hopes in the UK trade that changes could be made to admit leisure visitors in the near future.
The newly-elected Japanese government announced on Friday (November 5) that vaccinated international business travellers will be required to quarantine for three days after arriving in Japan, instead of 10. The new policy will start on Monday (November 8).
Media reports from Japan quoted Japanese deputy chief cabinet secretary Kihara Seiji, who said: “This time, the measures do not cover tourists. But the government is considering a plan to allow tourists to enter the country in stages.
“We will examine the effectiveness of monitoring new arrivals and the coronavirus situation, at around the end of the year.”
The New York Times said Japan’s border restrictions remain some of the strictest in the region despite about 73% of the country’s population having been fully vaccinated, according to data from the University of Oxford.
Specialist tour operator InsideJapan hailed the announcements about the easing of Japan’s travel restrictions.
James Mundy, PR and partnerships manager at InsideJapan, said the daily numbers of new Covid-19 cases are continuing to fall across the country.
“It is very reassuring for us to see that the new government is taking positive action towards opening again,” he said.
“We hope that this will lead on to a road map to opening very soon.
“We are certain that this positive news will encourage yet more people to positively commit to that next trip as it becomes a more realistic opportunity and we cannot wait to actually help people discover this incredible country and culture again soon.”
InsideJapan said its 2022 small group tours have more than 55% of the seats filled and 2023 tour dates will be released next month.
It has been hosting live virtual tours from Japan featuring its tour leaders and guides to continue inspiring future travel.
The next tour will feature the sacred Mount Koya (pictured) on November 18 and is free. There will be tours aimed at those in the trade at the beginning of December.