Japan to Further Ease Covid Restrictions as They Reopen This Month

Japan is under increasing pressure to remove this month all lingering travel restrictions. It was previously declared that people who have had three vaccinations will no longer need to submit to PCR Covid tests. Additionally, they increased the daily arrival cap to 50,000 and did away with the requirement for a guided tour. However, unlike US travelers who can at least apply for an e-visa, UK visitors still need to apply for a visa in person. There used to be a visa waiver program for numerous nations, including the UK, however it was discontinued during Covid.

This week, The Japan Times reported that the government intended to ease restrictions even more.

The report said, “The government is planning to allow independent tourists to come to Japan and exempt them from visas if they have been vaccinated three times or submit a pre-arrival test result, Fuji TV reported Monday. It also intends to abolish the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000, the report added.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, with an eye to implementing the revisions by October.”