Tourist normalization in Japan
Japan is permitting free entry for foreign tourists starting this Tuesday, signaling a major shift after years of strict border controls during the pandemic. The country, which once aimed to attract tens of millions of visitors annually to revive its economy, is reopening in a measured fashion and gradually resuming global tourism.
From the outset of the border reopening, Japan maintained one of the strictest travel regimes among major economies, with only China showing a comparable pace of post-pandemic restoration. The archipelago had imposed a daily entry cap of 50,000 visitors since September, but as of midnight today, most limits have been removed. Travelers will largely follow the same airline options they had before the pandemic, with entry rules reflecting standard international practice.
Normalizing entry procedures
Although Japan began welcoming tourists as early as June, it did so with several restrictions. Visitors historically needed a visa for certain trips and used travel agencies to arrange guided tours. Since today, Japan has resumed visa-exemption arrangements for stays up to 90 days with 68 countries, including the United States, Argentina, Mexico, and members of the European Union. This marks a clear move toward normal international travel to Japan, following a period when many of these agreements were paused during the health crisis.
Travelers from countries without a bilateral visa exemption will still follow pre-pandemic entry requirements. Immigration controls in Tokyo have been simplified, simplifying procedures for many visitors.
For those who provide proof of three doses of a World Health Organization–approved COVID-19 vaccine, the requirement to take a pre-flight test 72 hours before boarding has been eliminated. This relaxation is pivotal, as it affects nearly all travelers. Those with valid vaccination certificates or a negative test issued within three days of entry may skip testing on arrival and bypass certain quarantine measures that previously applied in specific circumstances.
All travelers must still complete a COVID-19 questionnaire before departure and download the MySOS application from the ministry’s site. The app enables linking of required travel documents for verification on arrival, helping streamline the process outdoors.
At major Japanese airports, the arrival halls, which had been quiet for years, were noticeably busier today. A 26-year-old traveler from Kansai described her experience to a local newspaper, expressing excitement about shopping and enjoying local delicacies like takoyaki, a dish made with small balls of wheat flour and octopus.
Japan had welcomed 31.9 million visitors in 2019 before the health crisis, but tourism dropped sharply in 2021. Data from the National Tourism Organization shows foreign-entry figures as low as 246,000 in 2021, with August 2021 recording about 169,800 travelers—mostly residents returning home rather than overseas visitors. These numbers illustrate the depth of the rebound Japan now seeks to achieve with renewed openness. (Nikkei)
a stable yen and a renewed tourism outlook
Japan’s reopening arrives at a sensitive moment for the economy, which faced a slow recovery after prolonged border closures. Higher import costs, driven by geopolitical tensions, and a weaker yen weighed on the economy. Yet the stronger yen for foreign visitors, especially those paying in dollars or euros, provides welcome relief for Japan’s tourism sector. The currency shift helps travelers stretch their budgets and can boost overall spending in tourist areas.
Officials emphasize that the current environment may positively influence tourism as Japan moves toward a broader reopening aligned with a gradual return to normal life. The government has framed the reopening as part of a broader transition toward coexistence with COVID-19, a move described in official briefings as supportive of socio-economic activity and visitor confidence. (Nikkei)
Looking ahead, it remains uncertain how quickly the country will regain pre-pandemic visitor volumes, especially given ongoing fluctuations in Chinese tourism flows due to Beijing’s strict policies. Analysts note that Chinese travelers have historically contributed significantly to Japan’s tourism revenue, and shifts in that market will influence early performance as the country pursues a robust rebound in international arrivals.