The number of foreign visitors to Japan in October 2021 was 22,100, down 99.1% compared with the same month in 2019 according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
By country, there were 4,000 visitors from China, 2,000 from the US and 1,900 from South Korea to Japan with the total number of Chinese visitors for the first eight months of 2021 at 37,300, more than any other country. Visitor arrivals from Vietnam this year are 24,400, followed by the US with 17,200. The basis of the higher numbers of visitors from China and Vietnam is due to the high number of technical interns allowed in, the JNTO said. The number of foreign laborers in Japan at the end of 2020 was 1,724,328, a historical record.
The Japanese government halted new arrivals to Japan from 28 December 2020 from all countries and regions, only allowing entry under special circumstances. However, starting from 8 November 2021, short-term (three months or less) and long-term stays for commercial and employment purposes have been given entry permission in principle, under the proviso that the host in Japan submits an application in advance including written pledges and activity plans to the relevant government ministry.
After government examination of the application, and in the event that the arrival presents a valid certificate of vaccination and is from an approved country, they may opt to take another test on the third day after entry. If negative, the visitor can leave their 14-day hotel quarantine facility to stay with their host instead.
New measures were implemented from 1 October allowing arrivals with a valid vaccination certificate who are serving a 14-day quarantine period to depart quarantine on the 10th day after providing a negative test result.
According to JNTO, “With the popularity of the vaccine, entry restrictions and activity restrictions after arrival are being eased in more and more countries. In Japan as well, starting on 8 November, those coming for short-term stays for commercial and employment purposes and long-term study abroad students and technical interns will be allowed into the country after fulfilling certain conditions.
“Furthermore, there are considerations being made for reopening entry within the year for the purpose of group tourism, which has been suspended temporarily, based on the number of infections within Japan and effectiveness of activity management of the tourists. We must continue to keep a close eye on market trends based on the changes in the infection situation as well as entry regulations in all countries.”
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