Japan’s Entry Ban List Extended; Business Travel with Taiwan and Brunei Might Improve
Japan’s entry ban list will now affect tourism for a total of 129 countries. The world’s third largest economy has been cautious about controlling the spread of the virus ever since the pandemic began. To ensure a safe environment for all, Japan has recently added 18 more countries to its growing entry ban list.
From July 1, Japan will not allow foreign nationals arriving from Cuba, Iraq, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Algeria, Eswatini, Georgia, Eswatini, Grenda, Haiti, Guatemala, Guyana, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent, Jamaica, Lebanon, the Grenadines, the Central African Republic and Senegal.
Government data revealed that only 1,700 foreign travellers arrived in Japan in May reflecting a 99.9 percent drop from 2019. To encourage business travel, Japan’s government is in discussions with Thailand, Australia, Vietnam and New Zealand. Even then travellers will have to submit negative Covid-19 test results and a detailed account of their stay.
Following the idea of promoting business travel, Japan had permitted travel to Vietnam on June 25 with a chartered flight carrying 150 passengers. As per sources, the country will soon begin discussions with Taiwan and Brunei. Due to a limited capacity to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the country is sceptical about permitting travellers from South Korea and China as the virus is still strong there.
Even if travellers from China and South Korea are permitted entry in near future, students and business travellers will be prioritised over tourists.
Following the announcement of Japan’s entry ban list, the country’s immigration authorities have resumed processing of visa applications. The move is expected to ease entry clearance for foreign nationals but doubts remain as strict travel restrictions are still there. The Immigration Services Agency has resumed issuing certificates of eligibility for resident status delivered to foreigners when they plan to travel to Japan.
Speaking about visa applications, Deputy Director of ISA’s Residency Management Division — Hitoshi Kobayashi said, “Until now, applicants had to wait until Japan relaxed its entry restrictions for procedures to resume. But following Friday’s change, with certificates at hand, they won’t face further delays due to their applications not having been dealt with.”
The restarting of immigration procedures does put forth a ray of hope for foreigners looking forth to travel soon. But tourists from the countries belonging to Japan’s entry ban list will have to wait a little longer before they get to witness the island country.
