Japan has started the second phase of opening up to specific visitors, specifically those staying three months or more into the country.
Japan’s first phase began in July, by allowing business travellers from Asia to come to the country for work. Now, foreign students and those with approved long-term visas will be allowed to visit the island nation.
The third phase which will open up to all foreign tourists but there has been no date confirmed for when this phase will begin.
‘From October, visitors will be allowed entry to Japan if they are coming on a three month visa or longer, this is aimed at those with either cultural, business or educational reasons eg. foreign students,’ a spokesperson from the Japan National Tourism Organisation told Lonely Planet.
Like many other countries, self-quarantine for a two-week period will likely be mandatory to avoid bringing in COVID-19 with them.
Many of Japans attractions have reopened to the public, however many festivals which usually draw a big crowd both internally and from overseas have been cancelled or postponed as a result of the concern that they may be sites for super spreader events.
Japan has had a total of 90,153 COVID-19 cases, with a first small wave in March followed by a much bigger wave in August which has been declining. Despite the significant number of cases, it has only had 1,635 deaths, which is a much lower death rate than similar countries.
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