Tokyo(Reuters)Prime Minister Kishida, who is visiting the U.S. to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York, made the remarks at a press conference in New York at 10 p.m. on the 21st (local time). “We will ease entry regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to the U.S. level from October 11,” he said, suggesting △ the removal of the upper limit of 50,000 entrants a day △ the resumption of visa exemptions for short-term entrants △ the resumption of personal travel for tourists visiting Japan.
(Source from Reuters/Alamy)If the entry measures are eased, travel costs will increase due to the increase in flights, and the hassle of obtaining a visa will be eliminated, which is expected to significantly increase visits by Korean and other foreign travelers to Japan. Prime Minister Kishida said he would also start a “national travel discount” that supports accommodation costs when traveling in Japan and an “event discount” policy that provides ticket subsidies to events such as sports and performances on the same day.
(Source from Reuters/Alamy)The Japanese government had previously accepted foreign tourists since June, but it maintained strong regulations, requiring PCR tests, visas, and only allowing group trips with guides, so fewer than 10,000 foreign tourists in July. From the 7th of this month, some regulations have been eased, such as exempting PCR tests and allowing group trips without guides, but the tourism industry has been dissatisfied with the fact that it still has a duty to issue visas and the upper limit of 50,000 entrants. Recently, as the yen’s value has fallen sharply and people have suffered from the resulting inflation, it seems that they have decided to ease entry regulations to attract foreign tourists to increase demand for the yen and boost the economy.
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