Japan's Tightened Travel Controls: Who's Affected

Above, Asakusa's Nakamise Street during normal times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As difficult as it was to enter Japan prior to the outbreak of a new, more virulent strain of coronavirus, it just got tighter again.

According to The Japan Times:

Alarmed by the possibility of a new COVID-19 variant wreaking havoc around the world, Japan earlier this week re-imposed strict restrictions on travelers from overseas, barring most nonresident foreign nationals from entering the country.

Who is prohibited from entering Japan?

Under the new directive, nonresident foreign nationals who have yet to obtain landing permission — in the form of either a visa or a certificate of eligibility typically used to obtain a visa — will not be able to enter Japan until after the end of January.

As arrivals under business travel agreements Japan has reached with individual countries are already subject to strict controls, they are not affected by this change.

The government stopped issuing new visas and certificates of eligibility Monday and does not plan to resume until the start of February.

Amid concerns over the new variant of the novel coronavirus, which is said to be up to 70% more transmissible, nonresident foreign nationals who have stayed in the U.K. or South Africa within 14 days will also be barred from entering Japan, even if they would otherwise be exempt under a business travel agreement.

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