Japan to begin opening up next month

Tokyo, Japan - January 11, 2017: Crowds pass below colorful signs in Akihabara. The historic electronics district has evolved into a widely visited shopping area for video games, anime, manga, and computer goods.

After much speculation, Japan appears to have set an opening date for its international border.

Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida made the clearest hint yet of Japan’s intention to open during his trip to London on Friday.

Referring to the situation in Ukraine, post-Covid economics, the G20 theme of ‘Recover together. Recover faster’ and in light of Japan taking on the G7 presidency in 2023, Kishida suggested that Japan’s borders would be opening next month.

“At the end of last year, Japan strengthened its border control measures in response to the global spread of the Omicron variant,” Kishida said, according to Nikkei Asia.

“We have now eased border control measures significantly, with the next easing taking place in June when Japan will introduce a smoother entry process similar to that of other G7 members.”

Part of Inside Travel Group, InsideJapan applauded the long-awaited announcement from the Japanese government.

“This is something we have waited over two years for and something that can’t come soon enough,” said the group’s co-founder, Simon King.

“Although details and dates are yet to be confirmed, it would seem that Japan is set to open for tourism again in June.

“We have thousands of customers that cannot wait to travel, and inquiries are verging on pre-pandemic levels. This is the news we have all been waiting for.”


Featured image: iStock.com/Sean Pavone

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