The Japanese government has lifted travel advisories for its citizens traveling abroad in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. This update is based on a report from Kyodo News.
Historically, Japan began with level one guidance for trips to China in January 2020. Later, authorities escalated to Level 3, issuing travel warnings that covered 159 countries and regions worldwide.
Since October 2022, Japan has recommended that travelers prepare thoroughly before visiting other nations, emphasizing precaution and readiness for international trips.
On 5 May, the World Health Organization announced that the COVID-19 pandemic situation had been canceled as an emergency. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the organization’s emergency committee, after monitoring the virus’s spread over the past year, concluded that the emergency declaration could be lifted. He also stressed that this shift does not imply the virus poses no ongoing threat. The pandemic, from start to finish, endured for about 1150 days.
For travelers in Canada and the United States, this sequence of updates underlines a broader trend: national and international health authorities are moving toward normalizing global mobility while maintaining vigilance. Canadian and American travelers should still stay informed about destination-specific health requirements, entry rules, and any local health advisories that could affect travel plans. As borders reopen and international commerce resumes, many travelers are weighing comfort, timing, and safety in equal measure. In practice, travelers should monitor official guidance from their governments, check airline and destination policies, and be prepared with up-to-date health documentation where required. The shift in Japan’s stance mirrors a global cadence toward resuming cross-border travel with practical safeguards in place. [Citation: Kyodo]