Can I travel to Japan now? April 2022

Big news: First-degree relatives of foreign residents in Japan can now enter the country through appropriate visas, and second-degree relatives of permanent residents and Japanese citizens can also enter the country. Foreign businessmen and students can also enter Japan. Visitors are still prohibited from entering the country, but we hope to announce it as soon as possible. Here are all the details about travel restrictions, flights and entry procedures.

Overview of situation

Last updated: April 2022 18 (this page is updated every Monday)

Important! Japanese family members and foreign residents can now visit Japan (you must apply for a visa in advance-see below for details).

Foreign business travelers and students can enter Japan as long as they have proper visas (you must apply in advance and you need a sponsor in Japan).

Some business travelers and students will be quarantined for three days, while those from countries that control coronavirus pneumonia (including the United States) will be cancelled.

Tourists are still banned from entering the country, and the government says it has no plans to reopen it immediately.

We will update this page every Monday in Japan time. Probability of full opening to the outside world

Tourism (personal opinion/explanation as follows):

April 2022: 0%

May 2022: 20%

June 2022: 30%

July 2022: 60%

August 2022: 80%

Autumn 2022: 90%

"Japan Times" recently reported that there has been an "invisible opening" in Japan. Now, close relatives of foreign residents, as well as relatives of Japanese citizens and permanent residents can enter Japan through appropriate visas. The following are the details of their appearance in the Japan Times (the full text is as follows):

"First-degree relatives of foreigners who want to visit relatives in Japan, and second-degree relatives of Japanese nationals and permanent residents. First-degree relatives refer to children and parents, and second-degree relatives refer to brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren. "

Therefore, if you are the parents or children of people living in Japan (not necessarily having permanent residency, but having a long-term residence visa), you can visit them. In addition, if you are a brother, sister, parent, child, grandparent or grandchild of a permanent resident or Japanese citizen, you can visit. In both cases, you must apply for a temporary visit visa at the nearest Japanese consulate or embassy. Presumably your relatives in Japan must also provide some paperwork in Japan. We will clarify the process as soon as possible and list the details here.

As for those who wish to visit Japan as tourists, you will have to wait longer. On April 5, the government held an emergency meeting and announced the lifting of the entry ban on nationals of 106 country. The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reflects this change. Many people think this means that tourists will be allowed to return to China soon. Unfortunately, the government announced the next day that this does not mean that tourists can re-enter. In addition, to make matters worse, Prime Minister kishida fumio later said: "Japan has no plans to allow foreign tourists to enter Japan immediately."

The most promising explanation for these events is that Japan is laying the foundation for gradually reopening to tourists by lifting the general entry ban. However, many Japanese and foreign observers point out that the Japanese public is indifferent to the idea of reopening, and politicians may wait until after the July general election to reopen the country, when they can do so with minimal political risk.

I believe that there is still some hope for reopening before the general election in July, especially if the current wave of infection passes, reopening will not cause big problems to other Asian countries (such as South Korea and Thailand) that are reopening. However, if you don't want to spend time biting your nails and waiting for the announcement of Japanese tourists, it may be the easiest to book a trip in mid-September or after. This can avoid suspense and miss the heat. Please pay attention as usual, and I will update the new trends in time.