Japan announced to conduct a “trial tour” in the form of a package tour for groups of guests from the US, Australia, Thailand and Singapore from the end of May.
The decision was made on May 17, as a way to collect information before the country fully opens its borders to foreign visitors in June. The Japanese government wants to assess the level of safety, study how to respond if a visitor has Covid-19 infection.
During the trial period, groups will carry out a package tour according to a fixed schedule, with a guide to support the group 24/24, only limited to a few areas that the provincial government agrees to accept.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, only guests who have had all three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine can participate in the experience in the land of the rising sun.
The agency also compiles infection control guidance for travel agencies and accommodations.
The latest decision comes as Japan faces great pressure from domestic businesses and the international community to reopen its borders.
In early May, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the country would reopen to tourism this year but did not give a specific timeline.
Since 2020, the early stage of the pandemic, Japan has actively closed its borders. The easing measures introduced in April allow 10,000 people to enter the country every day. However, the eligible audience includes only citizens, researchers, students, family members of Japanese nationals, and pre-approved business travelers.
In the context of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2021 only reached 245,900, down 99.2% compared to 2019, before the pandemic appeared.
@ Zing News