Fuji News Network on Monday reported that Japan’s government is planning to restrain the tourist visa requirements as a part of a further easing of border controls enacted to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Before the pandemic, Japan did not need tourist visas for 68 countries and regions. The decision may be taken as early as this week by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which will allow individual tourists to visit Japan without travel agency bookings.
Deputy chief cabinet secretary Seiji Kihara said on a television program on Sunday that “a weak yen is most effective in attracting inbound tourism,” adding that further steps must be taken to draw in foreign visitors.
Japan has also eliminated a requirement that has been among the most restrictive border measures among major economies; that is, the pre-departure COVID test. They also raised the daily ceiling of inbound travelers to 50,000 from 20,000 last week.