Japan's Go To Travel Campaign Timing Is Way Off

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall in Tokyo next to the Sumida River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For many things in life and business, timing is often the key to success.

Japan's Go To Travel campaign has come under fire as coronavirus is still causing problems within the country.

Many in Japan see starting the campaign now, while COVID-19 still wreaks havoc, as ridiculous.

The Japan Times reported:

With coronavirus cases rising in Tokyo and Osaka, the government will exclude travel to and from Tokyo in its Go To Travel Campaign slated to kick off next Wednesday, tourism minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said Thursday. 

Speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office, Akaba, minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, said the government will launch the campaign as planned under those conditions. 

“We will be excluding from the campaign those who are making Tokyo their tourist destination and those who reside in Tokyo traveling outside the prefecture,” he said. 

Over the past few days, local leaders, opposition party leaders and some within the ruling parties have increased their calls to revise, postpone or possibly cancel the campaign — a central government program with a ¥1.7 trillion budget to promote domestic tourism. 

Local governments fear an influx of visitors from urban areas will lead to a spike in infections they are ill-equipped to handle.

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