Govt plans to scrap cap on intl arrivals, relax border restrictions

e government plans to scrap the cap on international arrivals and relax other coronavirus pandemic-related border restrictions, according to sources.

e government is expected to make a decision this month while taking into consideration the infection situation in Japan and overseas. Eased visa requirements and the acceptance of solo travelers are among the things being considered.

With the number of coronavirus cases on a downward trend, the government wants to ramp up e orts to normalize economic and social activities, and increasing the number of visitors to Japan is part of such e orts.

On Sept. 7, the cap on daily international arrivals was raised from 20,000 to 50,000 and foreign visitors were allowed to enter Japan on package tours without guides, under certain circumstances.

However, voices within the government have said the number of international visitors is unlikely to increase drastically unless solo travel is allowed, as many foreign visitors do not want to go on package tours.

Japan is currently the only Group of Seven member with a cap on international arrivals.

Daily International arrivals totaled 140,000 in January 2020, before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. (Sept. 14)