To Travel to Japan Visa-Free for Personal Trips: "3rd Vaccination or Negative Test Within 72 Hours Required"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government announced on the 26th that it will remove the cap on the number of incoming travelers starting from the 11th of next month and allow visa-free travel to Japan for foreigners who have received a third dose of the vaccine, among others.

According to NHK and other broadcasters, Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, stated at a regular press conference that day, "We will lift the restriction limiting foreign tourists' entry to package tours and resume the application of visa exemption measures." He added, "We will remove the daily entry cap of 50,000 people and will not require accommodation managers to oversee the new entries of all foreigners."

The Japanese government had increased the daily entry cap from 20,000 to 50,000 starting from the 7th and allowed package tours without accompanying guides, but travel agencies were required to secure tourists' flight tickets and accommodations and maintain contact with tourists. Visa-free individual free travel had been prohibited, but from the 11th of next month, it will be fully permitted.

Before Japan tightened entry restrictions in March 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19, Korean tourists could stay in Japan without a visa for up to 90 days.

Minister Matsuno stated, "Except for those suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms, no COVID-19 tests will be conducted upon entry for all returnees and entrants." However, travelers must submit either proof of a third COVID-19 vaccine dose or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before departure upon entry.

Additionally, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan announced that from the 11th of next month until the end of December, it will implement a "Nationwide Travel Support" period to support the tourism industry. For nationwide travel support, the ministry stated that travelers can receive discounts of up to 8,000 yen per night on travel expenses per person, and including coupons, up to 11,000 yen off.