Is Japan ready to reopen its borders?

July 18, 2022 Japan iGaming & Gambling

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s initial easing of COVID-19 restrictions was dramatically reversed following the arrival of Omicron in late November 2021. He most notably shut down the Japanese border —
bucking the trend of reopening in East Asia and causing consternation abroad.

Kishida has responded cautiously to domestic and foreign pressure to reopen Japan’s borders since April 2022. Japan reopened its borders to holders of long-term visitor, business or student visas on 1 June 2022, as well as to tourists on authorised package tours. Independent tourists are not yet granted entry, although they can be expected to be allowed back by Autumn 2022.

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Wada Kouichi, stated there had only been 1300 entry visa requests for travel purposes in Japan as of 15 June 2022. This is despite Japan having its lowest exchange rate in 24 years (136 yen to US$1). Indeed, Japan’s current border rules for foreign tourists are the most restrictive in Asia with the exception of China.