Japan prepares to accept foreign tourists again After closing the country for more than 2 years – BBC News Thai

after closing the country No foreign tourists are allowed to enter for two years. Japan is preparing to open its borders to tourists from 98 countries in many regions of the world.

This is the most important time to ease immigration measures and restrictions. Slowly preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Japan

But there are still some limitations. This includes the requirements for entering the country of tourists who come in the form of a group tour.

In the past, Japan has implemented the most stringent virus control system in the world. and banned foreign tourists from attending the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that had been postponed earlier.

Previously, travel restrictions were eased for foreigners living in Japan and those entering the country on business. and recently The government has raised the ceiling on the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan to 20,000 per day, effective June 1.

In the past, starting from mid-March, international students were also allowed to enter.

From June 10, group tours will be allowed to enter the country, however, almost 100 countries across all regions including Thailand They are divided into three risk categories, red, yellow and blue, which determine whether visitors can bypass quarantine measures. According to a report from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Japan remains closed from 2020 due to the viral-19 pandemic. This was a decision that had a heavy impact on the tourism industry.

The tourism sector is an important business sector of the Japanese economy. With the number of tourists dropping more than 90% in 2020, the atmosphere of domestic tourism is almost completely gone.

However, tour companies responded warmly to the policy of opening up the country.

“We still see a lot of interest in visiting Japan. Despite the restrictions on entry into the country for almost two years. I am sure there will be a quick booking as soon as the borders are fully open,” said Sina Benchik, managing director of Intrapid Travel.

Other tour operators have recognized the economic value that Japan lost during the lockdown.

“The Japanese government is very cautious,” said James Greenfield, managing director of Japan Journeys.

“They want the first group of tourists to join a guided tour and we are ready to provide that. and do everything necessary to make our customers happy. To offset some of our income after more than two years we had no income at all,” he said.