Japan further eases infection border controls

Friday, September 9, 2022

Japan has further eased its infection border controls. However, its assertion on visitor visas means that the yen’s drop would not convert to a tourism explosion any time soon.

The Japanese government increased the daily limit for incoming travelers to 50,000 from 20,000, dismissing an obligation for visitors along with returning residents for experiencing pre-departure COVID-19 tests. Japan has eased its most obstructive border rules among major economies.

Travel bookings have amplified ever since the easing announced last month. Nevertheless, an actual recovery might be overdue given that visitors are still needed to get visas for entering Japan, said Koji Masumura, Japan Airlines Co. (9201.T) executive.

Masumura said that even though the limit has been increased to 50,000 now, it is not expected to reach this level minus the contribution of out of the country individual travelers.

The yen has denigrated swiftly recently, breaking 144 to the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, which is the weakest in 24 years.
Expressing anxiety regarding ‘one-sided moves’ in the currency, Hirokazu Matsuno, the Chief Cabinet Secretary said that the currency weakness could have advantages with the relaxing of border rules.

However, the advantages would not be grasped if visitors cannot enter. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has promised to bring Japan more in agreement with fellow Group of Seven nations; nonetheless, the slackening has been too sluggish for many businesses.

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