Japan lifted all COVID border controls on April 29th
Japan dropped all remaining COVID-related entry requirements on April 29th, 2023, nine days earlier than originally announced – as reported by TASS with reference to the Kyodo news agency
Japan had previously planned to remove COVID-19 travel restrictions on May 8th, 2023. This is the same day that the status of the COVID-19 virus is set to be downgraded to a common infectious disease (such as seasonal influenza).
However, the government decided to bring the date forward in anticipation of an increase of foreign visitors during the country’s annual Golden Week holidays.
From April 29th, most foreign arrivals are no longer required to present a vaccination certificate showing that they have received 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Nevertheless, all arrivals from mainland China still need to meet this requirement.
The easing of travel restrictions, along with recent revisions to the Japanese visa policy, will allow tourists to enter Japan more easily. This is expected to increase tourist arrivals and help the ongoing recovery of the Japanese tourism industry.
