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
Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season
Starbucks Japan unveils new coffee drinks… for people who don’t drink coffee
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]
Maximum entry fee for sento public baths in Tokyo increases slightly for adults next month
Official Final Fantasy beers are going on sale in Tokyo this month, giant Aetheryte appearing too
Starbucks Japan releases new “Afterword” collection that gives coffee waste a second life
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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 announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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