Starting October 11, A Number Of Easy Rules Can Make Japan Tourism Seem Again

JAKARTA - For more than 2 years the country of Sakura has imposed crazy restrictions to suppress the spread of COVID-19. And starting October 11, all regulations will be officially relaxed in Japan.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida imposed visa-free departures without travel agents and removed the daily arrival limit. This is a major policy after nearly 2.5 years of strict COVID-19 restrictions.

The government will also launch a national travel discount program, which has been suspended due to the spread of COVID-19 infections.

Kishida called the long-awaited announcement during his visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, as quoted by the Japan Times, Friday, September 23.

"I hope a lot of people will take advantage of it," Kishida told a news conference.

"I want to support other travel, entertainment, and industry that have struggled during the coronavirus pandemic," he continued.

Japan has actually allowed tourists to enter since last June. But they must be in the part of the travel agents.

On September 7, the government allowed those who toured without a guide who had booked their flights and hotels via registered travel agents.

But those measures are not popular with many foreign tourists wanting greater freedom during their journey. Tourists still need to be vaccinated three times or submit a negative COVID-19 test result before their trip.

The national domestic travel program offering discounts for travel, entering amusement parks, and for sporting events and concerts will also begin on October 11. People who have been vaccinated three times or submitted negative test results will be eligible for discounts.

This program offers up to 11,000 ($77) financial assistance per person to stay overnight. The move will be welcomed by the national tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.