TOKYO: Japan may lift requirements for pre-departure COVID-19 tests for vacationers and raise every day caps on entrants, domestic media have got 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.
The government may soon waive tests for vaccinated passengers, with the modify taking effect in some weeks, Nikkei reported late on Mon (Aug 22). A regular cap of inbound travellers may be raised from 20, 500 to 50, 1000 as early as next month, Fuji News Network stated on Tuesday.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno dropped to comment on the particular timing of any border easing, stating it would depend on COVID-19 conditions in The japanese and overseas.
“Along with having every measure to avoid contagion, we’ll also promote economic action – and with boundary control measures, we will relax them within stages while keeping these two things in balance, ” Matsuno told reporters.
Japan’s foreign ministry said it is aware of the media reviews, but deferred remark to the health ministry, which has jurisdiction over border infection regulates. The health ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is recouping from COVID-19 at his home after screening positive on Sunday , said in May that he wanted to provide Japan’s border steps more in line with those of other Group of Seven nations.
The japanese in June opened up to tourists initially in two years, even though visitors must obtain visas and stick to guided, package travels.
Domestic plus foreign business organizations have urged a larger relaxation of Japan’s border controls, saying the measures danger causing the nation to fall behind financially.
European plus American business lobbies welcomed the documented easing measures, while urging that Japan reinstate visa-waiver eligibility for business plus tourist travellers.
“We would like to state that the need for people to have a visa before departing for Japan is still an obstacle, ” European Company Council president Erina Mroczek said. “This in particular for companies that have no existence in Japan. ”
Om Prakash, president of the American Chamber of Business in Japan, motivated the government to straighten up its border take a trip policies with other G7 countries “to restore Japan’s reputation being a welcoming and open place”.