American Tourists Continue To Be Banned From Japan

Above, Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing during normal times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan appears to be the lone holdout among developed nations in banning foreign tourists. Frustration over this is mounting.

According to Travel Off Path:

Even though the continent of Asia has been finally lifting its overly restrictive travel rules, which kept most foreigners locked out for the best part of two years, Japan is one of a few with ‘no immediate plans’ to reopen for tourism.

In other words, American tourists are still banned from visiting Japan for non-essential reasons.

The Travel Off Path article discusses Japan's stance and here are the most important points:

While other nations like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand have started lifting curbs, welcoming vaccinated Americans under less bureaucratic border regimes, Japan has yet to lift what many deem dated travel bans.

In doing so, the Southeastern Asian hub goes directly against the official World Health Organization’s recommendation.

Not even Europe, where movement was once seriously restricted, went as far as Japan has.

Earlier this week, Japan officially removed travel bans for certain categories of travelers, from 106 countries, which do not include tourists. This means that, while vacationers are still not allowed to visit, travelers from the U.S. with evidence their visit to Japan is necessary in order to conduct business, can again cross the border.

The decision will surely boost Japan’s slow economic recovery, especially after the country saw 40,000 companies go bankrupt due to harsh border measures. On top of that, the country will also begin allowing more international students to enter, signaling the end to an era of blanket travel bans on all foreigners.

Sadly, American tourists continue to be left out, as do Canadians, Brits, and other foreigners hoping to visit for tourism purposes.

Having enacted similar border measures, Australia and New Zealand have recently reopened for tourism, further isolating Japan as one of the last countries in the world to ban tourists.

Japan’s visa waiver program, which up until 2020 allowed Americans to visit without applying for a visa, has also been suspended. Now, U.S. citizens hoping to travel to Japan for reasons other than tourism must submit an official application at a Japanese Consulate abroad.

In my view, the longer Japan bans foreign tourists, they run the risk having frustrated potential tourists giving up and say, "screw you", even after Japan reopens. "You don't want my spending dollars? Then to hell with you! I'll go elsewhere where my dollars and I are welcome."

To read the full article, go here.