On the evening of September 22, Japanese time, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced at a press conference in New York that border measures against the new coronavirus will be lifted from October 11, the daily number of entry limits will be lifted, the visa-free system

Chinese Guide On the evening of September 22, Japan time, Japanese Prime Minister Kisha Fumio announced at a press conference in New York that border measures against the new coronavirus will be lifted from October 11, the daily number of entry limits will be cancelled, the visa-free system will be restored, and personal travel will be lifted. Implementation rules are to be announced. In addition, starting from October 11, tourism support projects will be launched nationwide to stimulate consumption.

On the evening of the 22nd Japanese time, Prime Minister Kishida held a press conference in New York.

8 foreigners visited Japan in August at 6.6 times that of the same period last year

On September 21, the estimated data released by the National Tourism Administration of Japan showed that the number of foreigners visited Japan in August was 6.6 times that of the same period last year, at 169,800, exceeding 100,000 for five consecutive months. This is a decrease of 93.3% from the same month before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Japanese government resumed the acceptance of foreign tour guides in June this year, but the entry of tourism in August was 10,826, which was still sluggish after July.

htmlForeigners visiting Japan in August, according to major countries and regions, , Vietnam, has the largest number, reaching 33,000, followed by 28,500 in South Korea and 15,800 in the United States. Mainly business-related people, skill interns and international students. China has 12,300 (down 98.8% from the same month in 2019).

htmlThe number of foreigners visited Japan in July was the largest in Vietnam by country and region, reaching 22,700, followed by 20,400 in South Korea and 14,800 in China, etc., basically business-related people, skilled interns and international students, which decreased in August compared with July.

For Chinese tourists, although they need to obtain a visa to visit Japan, they are allowed to enter the country for the purpose of tourism. The number of direct flights from China to Japan has shown a rebound compared with the same period last year.

However, Chinese tourists, which used to account for 80% of foreign tourists, still have very few entry points. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued instructions to travel abroad to self-made products. In addition, Japan is currently a "severely affected area" of the new crown epidemic, and there are not many tourists coming to Japan. Chinese people need negative certificates when returning from Japan. In principle, they are isolated at the facility for 7 days, and have health observations at home for 3 days, and multiple PCRs are required for examinations.

According to the Tourism Hall, as of September 15, among the number of people entering the country for prior application for tourism, 11,701 people entered the country from September 16 to 30, 27,883 people in October, and 8,007 people after November. In terms of nationality, the most are South Korea, Thailand and the United States. Judging from inbound tourism, South Korean tourism industry officials revealed on the 22nd that since early September, the number of bookings to Japan has surged. The booking rate for Japanese tours from September 1 to 20 increased by 2400% from the same period last month, large travel agency Modu Tour said.

On the other hand, there were 386,400 Japanese people leaving the country in August, 5.9 times that of the same period in 2021, and 81.7% lower than in 2019.

National tourism support projects are ready to go

Previously, the Japanese government was cautious about national tourism discounts. "Go To Travel", which was suspended in December 2020, was put on hold due to concerns that it would "expand infection." Since then, the "National Tourism Support Project" after the content and name has been changed, and the launch opportunity has been missed due to the seventh wave of the epidemic.

Go To Travel's national budget is 1.3 trillion yen in 2021, but it has been suspended for a long time, with a surplus of about 720 billion yen. Now 42 prefectures and prefectures are implementing "county people's discount tourism" (government-supported regional tourism projects) as a replacement measure for GoTo Travel. The maximum limit is 5,000 yen per person and one stay, with a halved price, and a subsidy of up to 2,000 yen coupons. It began last April for travelers in the same prefecture and expanded to neighboring counties last fall. Since April this year, it has expanded to travel within regions that divide the country into six regions, and the conditions have also increased from 2 vaccination to 3 times to suppress the spread of infection.

At present, the "county discount" in various places has received positive reviews, and many people have also taken advantage of it during the summer vacation. Although many people traveled or traveled around the country due to work during the epidemic, only the "national discount" has been criticized. If this time is restarted in October, it may absorb the tourism demand in autumn.However, some people believe that if the epidemic spreads again in winter, they will miss the opportunity to start.

Japan's national tourism support project is a "Measure to stimulate national tourism demand" for national tourism discounts, providing discounts on tourism fees and regional coupons. Discount includes a 40% discount on travel fees (maximum per person per night: transportation fee of 8000 yen, other 5000 yen). In addition, local coupons of 3,000 yen on weekdays and 1,000 yen on weekends will be given, which can be used in gift shops and restaurants.

implementation period is assumed to be from October 11 to late December or late January 2022.

This measure will be targeted nationwide. If there are prefectures and counties that do not want to participate, the above discounts cannot be used there.

In order to enjoy the discount, in addition to identity proof, etc., it is also necessary to provide 3 vaccination certificates, or PCR test for negative results, etc.

So far, the prefectures and surrounding prefectures are eligible for discounts as "county people's discounts", which will expand the target nationwide and promote long-distance travel.