Is Japan ready to reopen its borders?

[reader]

From Channel News Asia

VANCOUVER, Canada: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s initial easing of COVID-19 restrictions was dramatically reversed following the arrival of Omicron in late November 2021. He most notably shut down the Japanese border – bucking the trend of reopening in East Asia and causing consternation abroad.

Kishida has responded cautiously to domestic and foreign pressure to reopen Japan’s borders since April. Japan reopened its borders to holders of long-term visitor, business or student visas on Jun 1, as well as to tourists on authorised package tours. Independent tourists are not yet granted entry, although they can be expected to be allowed back by autumn.

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Wada Kouichi, stated there had only been 1,300 entry visa requests for travel purposes in Japan as of Jun 15.

This is despite Japan having its lowest exchange rate in 24 years (136 yen to US$1). Indeed, Japan’s current border rules for foreign tourists are the most restrictive in Asia with the exception of China.

But Kishida’s COVID-19 policy response and his slow reopening have earned public support. This is no easy task in a country that has been sensitive to rising cases and experienced shortcomings like the government’s inability to provide enough hospital beds.

The latest polls indicate broad support for Kishida’s approach – with COVID-19 becoming less of a salient issue for the now delayed Upper House elections in light of the Jul 8 shooting of former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Continues at

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/japan-travel-rules-tourist-group-covid-19-wave-vaccine-kishida-abe-2817761

[PeterRS]

I can't wait for Japan to open its borders. The ¥ is at its lowest for years and any trip will certainly be cheaper than pre-covid. 

[reader]

Channel  News Asia is reporting that Japan may lift requirements for pre-departure COVID-19 tests for travellers and raise daily caps on entrants, domestic media have reported. Japan has some of the strictest pandemic border measures among major economies, requiring travellers to present a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of departure.

[PeterRS]

More interesting is when they country will lift its quarantine requirements.