Coronavirus: Japan set to scrap testing requirement for travellers as it considers calling Covid endemic

Japan was enjoying a tourism boom pre-pandemic, but the number of foreigners allowed into the country since has slowed to a trickle
Few developed nations continue to impose stringent entry requirements and almost all have eased their Covid-19 curbs

Japan

Bloomberg

Published: 12:18pm, 23 Aug 2022

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Japan is set to more than double the number of people it will allow into the country and may scrap the need for a negative Covid-19 test to enter, as the last rich economy with stringent entry requirements still in place looks to join the rest of the world in easing pandemic curbs.

The daily limit on tourists will be raised to 50,000 people as soon as next month from the current 20,000, broadcaster FNN reported, citing unidentified government officials.

Authorities are also considering a gradual easing of testing requirements, such as initially exempting fully vaccinated people, the Nikkei newspaper reported earlier. Travellers currently need to submit negative results from a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure to Japan.

Travellers walk through a crowded lobby in Fukuoka airport, southwestern Japan, earlier this month. Photo: Kyodo

Before the pandemic, the country known for its vibrant cities and unique culture was in the midst of a tourism boom, with inbound visitors reaching a record in 2019. Airlines, hotels and retailers are all eager to regain the business they lost.

The small trickle of foreigners allowed into Japan last year spent 120 billion yen (US$874.2 million). In 2019, they spent 4.8 trillion yen, or 40 times more, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

Airline shares rose in Tokyo trading on the news, with Japan Airlines Co. climbing as much as 3.5 per cent. ANA Holdings Inc. gained 2.1 per cent.

Japan travel sector calls for Covid-19 entry curbs to end as economy rebounds

An initiative started three months ago, with limited fanfare, started letting in a small number of tourists. But the associated restrictions – including mandatory mask-wearing, temperature checks and limited free movement – as well as the tests-to-enter requirements, have made it difficult to attract visitors.

The ongoing curbs compare with places like Australia, Singapore and Britain, which impose few if any restrictions to entry now, and are getting a head start in reviving their beleaguered tourism industries.

Separately, Japan is planning to limit the detailed reporting that medical facilities must provide on coronavirus cases to high-risk individuals, broadcaster NHK reported, as the country considers classifying the pathogen as endemic.