There’s good travel news for local residents too.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is currently in New York, where he gave a speech at the United Nations general assembly regarding Security Council reform. There was also intense speculation that Kishida would take the opportunity of his overseas trip to officially announce the reopening of Japan to individual foreign tourists, and that expectation was correct.
In a press conference held Thursday morning, Kishida announced that Japan will be completely eliminating daily limits on the number of inbound international travelers to Japan, lifting bans on individual travelers, and removing visa requirements for visitors from countries which were exempted prior to the pandemic. All of these changes, Kishida said, will go into effect on Tuesday, October 11, just a little over three weeks from now.
Kishida also said that a travel discount/reimbursement program for domestic Japanese travelers, as well as one for entertainment events, will be launched on the same day, with further details to come at the end of this month.
Sources: NHK News Web, Nihon Keizai Shimbun
Top image: Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he has deeply, deeply missed everyone who’s been wanting to visit Japan.
Japan to start easing entry restrictions for foreign travelers next month, prime mister promises
Japan will no longer require pre-departure COVID tests for international travelers
Japan ends travel ban on individual tourists, waives visa requirements for certain countries
Japanese hotels likely to legally require travelers to wear masks under revised regulation
Japan to begin accepting tourists from the U.S., three other countries this month
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Kyoto raises hotel accommodation tax to fight overtourism, travelers could pay up to 10 times more
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Kyoto’s “ikezu” culture of backhanded compliments explained in hilarious souvenir sticker series
Osaka finally gets its own Pokémon manhole covers with team of Electric/Steel-types
Korean Pokémon baked goods are so popular you can’t find them anywhere, but why?
Starbucks Japan’s new sakura collection arrives in stores for hanami season 2024
Japan’s cat robot waiters meow when you pat them, and we find out why【Video】
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Lawson adds doughnuts to its convenience store sweets range, but are they good enough to go viral?
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan removes tour guide requirement for foreign tourists
Japan reopens to international tourists June 10, no vaccinations required for 98 countries
Japan to reexamine individual traveler ban, politician says current relaxations insufficient
Japan considering doubling entry cap for overseas travelers, waiving on-arrival PCR tests soon
International tourists travel to Japan, spend big at top tourist spots in Tokyo
Japan completely closes borders to new foreign arrivals
Japan to reopen borders to travelers from all countries worldwide starting in October
Foreign tourists react to mask-wearing in Japan, and Japanese people react to foreign non-maskers
Japan set to introduce new entry system for foreign tourists
Foreigners can now apply for visas to visit fiancés living in Japan
Weak yen should have Japan fast-tracking reopening to foreign tourists, prominent politician says
Japanese government freezes inbound air reservations for foreign residents and Japanese citizens
Travelling to Japan soon? Beware the “Three Small Hells” awaiting tourists upon arrival
Foreign traveler on Japan test tour tests positive for coronavirus infection
Immigration Bureau relaxes work restrictions for foreigners trapped in Japan during pandemic