TOKYO–After months of stringent border control measures and travel restrictions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan is preparing to reopen its doors to tourists in May. This month, a trial project will begin on accepting fully vaccinated inbound tourists from four countries: the U.S., Australia, Thailand and Singapore. The Japanese government is hopeful that this will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and pave the way for a broader easing of border control measures in June.
The trial project will focus on package tours in which Japanese travel agencies manage participants’ activities. Participants from the four countries will need to meet certain conditions, such as being triple-vaccinated, and travel agencies will need to accompany them on predetermined itineraries.
“This venture will allow us to verify compliance and emergency responses for infection prevention and formulate guidelines for travel agencies and accommodation operators to keep in mind,” it said.
Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, said earlier this month in London that he would bring Japan’s border controls into line with other wealthy democracies in June, but no further details have been given, including when the country will fully open its borders to tourists again.
Source: NikkeiAsia
