Japan Announces "Pandemic Exit Strategy"

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the short term, this doesn't affect foreign nationals who want to travel to Japan. But, there is always the possibility if that things work out, eventually, foreign nationals can visit Japan again. 

Japan has announced a "pandemic exit strategy" in order to re-ignite their economy.

According to the Japan Times:

The government on Thursday announced a pandemic exit strategy that will ease restrictions on travel, dining and public events for vaccinated people in a bid to reignite the economy, restore public morale and incentivize inoculations.

The plan will reportedly begin on an experimental basis as early as October and then become fully operational in November. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said that by November vaccines will have been administered to all people who wish to receive a shot.

Earlier Thursday, Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister leading the country’s pandemic response, announced that the country’s state of emergency will be extended in 19 prefectures from Sunday until Sept. 30.

Experts and advisers have been advocating a carrot-and-stick approach since last year. But critics say that revealing an exit strategy — or even discussing one — during an ongoing wave will send the wrong message, a pitfall the central government hopes to avoid.

“New cases may appear to be declining but it’s crucial that the public does not let its guard down,” Nishimura said during the opening remarks of the COVID-19 subcommittee meeting Thursday.

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