However, Kawaguchi’s enthusiasm declined as soon as he read the fine print.
As part of the Japan Tourism Agency’s “test tourism” trial that was announced earlier this month, only 50 visitors from four countries – Australia, Thailand, the US and Singapore will be permitted to take part in tours that would be planned by a handful of travel agencies.
The tour groups will also be limited to tripled-vaccinated visitors, restricted by four people and escorted by a guide constantly.
The trial run is as per a pledge by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to simplify border restrictions from June, and it will be used to gather information and improve infection control initiatives for a broader recommencement of tourism at a date, which is yet to be decided.
Japan shut down its borders in April 2020, and since then, online travel forums and social media groups have discussed continuously regarding the time regarding when the nation will again open its borders for foreign tourists.
Reopening pressure has increased like other East Asian countries, together with South Korea and Malaysia, who have restarted tourism after long isolation periods. The Japanese economy faces challenges in the midst of the yen’s decline to a 20-year low against the US dollar.
Tags: Japan, Japan Tourism, Tourism news, Travel news
