JAKARTA - Japan had taken extreme steps to close international doors. But now the relaxation of restrictions is increasingly felt so that this country's tourism can stretch again.
Japan plans to remove various restrictions on the arrival of daily tourists starting at the end of October. Japan Today received information from government sources because it seems that Japan wants to revive the third-largest economy in the world which has been hit hard by the coronavirus.
The government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, faces pressure from businesses to relax strict COVID-19 regulations on foreign tourists. It is likely to be studied how to relax its border control measures early next week, the source said.
In addition to lifting entry limits, which are currently set at 50,000, the government is also expected to discuss whether to allow foreign tourists to travel without a tour guide, according to the source, Monday, September 12.
Japan has drawn criticism at home and abroad for failing to compensate other Group of Seven countries in opening its borders, as well as requiring visiting ones to get visas and wear masks at any time during their trip.
Earlier that day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government would consider how to reduce COVID-19 restrictions while "maintaining a balance between preventing the spread of infection" and promoting "social and economic activities."
Matsuno's remarks came a day after Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara said in a television appearance that the government was reviewing a border control policy to keep the daily entry below 50,000 and would remove it in the not too distant future.
As Japan's economy has shown little sign of a strong recovery, Kishida's government has tried to accelerate growth by inviting more foreign visitors, who can now take advantage of Japan's rapid yen depreciation.
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