TIME OUT


 

Who can enter the country, when, how, and what quarantine will look like from March 1

Covid-19 restrictions are ever-changing and it can be hard to keep track of new information on Japan’s border restrictions. To bring you up to speed on the latest rule changes, we’ve answered some of the most common questions regarding Japan's current border restrictions. 

The following information is based on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s announcement this month that border restrictions will be eased from March 1. 
 

Who can enter Japan?

As of March 1, foreign residents, business travellers and foreign students will be allowed to enter Japan – but the borders are unfortunately still closed to tourists.

If you’re a returning resident of Japan or travelling for business or study purposes, read on. If you’ve been waiting to visit Japan on holiday, bear with us! We’ll let you know as soon as the government announces a tourism reopening plan. 

Note: spouses and children of Japanese nationals as well as of foreign nationals who hold Long Term Resident status are categorised as having ‘exceptional circumstances’, which allows them to re-enter Japan.

They are not subject to the current ban on new entries, and, in principle, don’t have to wait until March to be able to come in. See the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information on who can enter Japan under exceptional circumstances. 
 

What do I need to enter Japan?

Currently, you need to prepare the following documents before departure:

• A Covid-19 test certificate acquired within 72 hours of departure 
• A signed copy of the Written Pledge (available in English and Japanese) 
• A completed questionnaire administered digitally by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (available in multiple languages) 

Once you’re in Japan, before leaving the airport, you must do the following: 

• Submit the above documents 
• Take a PCR test 
• Download the required health monitoring app 

For more information on entry requirements, see the official website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 
 

How many people can enter Japan?

Currently, arrivals are capped at 3,500 people per day. Starting March 1, however, this number will be raised to 5,000 people per day.

Travellers who test negative for Covid-19 upon arrival will also be allowed to take public transport from the airport to their destination for self-isolation (must be within 24 hours of taking the test). 
 

What are the quarantine requirements for overseas arrivals?

A three-tier quarantine system will be introduced on March 1 which could allow travellers from overseas to spend fewer days in quarantine. The number of days a person will be required to spend in quarantine will depend on the country they are flying in from and their Covid-19 vaccine status. 

Currently, Japan only recognises the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. Starting from March, however, Japan will also add Johnson & Johnson to the list of approved vaccines for overseas arrivals.

As a general rule, travellers will be required to spend seven days in quarantine.

However, if you are flying in from a country or region designated by the Japanese government as a place where the Omicron variant has ‘become dominant’, and you haven't received a booster vaccine, you will be required to spend the first three days of quarantine in an airport quarantine hotel or similar facility.

If you are arriving from a designated destination and you have received a booster vaccine, you can do your seven-day quarantine at home. If you choose to get tested for the virus on the third day and the result is negative, you will no longer be required to quarantine.

Meanwhile, travellers arriving from countries and regions not designated by the government and who have not received a booster vaccine can also serve their seven days of quarantine at home. If they test negative on the third day, their quarantine period ends.

Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from non-designated places will have their quarantine period waived entirely.
 

What are the designated countries and regions?

Starting March 1, the following 37 countries and regions will be subject to a three-day quarantine in a designated facility:

• Albania 
• Bangladesh
• Brazil (Sao Paulo, Parana)
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Denmark
• Egypt
• France
• Germany
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel
• Italy
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Maldives
• Mexico
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Norway
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Republic of Korea
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• UAE
• UK
• Uzbekistan

In addition, several countries that were previously subject to quarantine at a government facility will be removed from the list on March 1. This includes Australia, Spain, the USA, Ireland, Thailand, and the Philippines. 

You’ll find the full list of designated countries and regions on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (available in English). 

What are Japan’s other Covid-19 restrictions?

Tokyo and several other Japanese prefectures are currently under a quasi-state of emergency until March 6.

During this time, opening hours for shops, restaurants and other non-essential establishments are shorter than usual. In addition, the government has asked people to refrain from non-essential outings to curb the spread of the virus.