Despite Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Among Foreigners in Japan's Pilot Tourism... Group Tours for Foreigners Scheduled to Resume Next Month as Planned

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japan has announced that there will be no change in its policy on accepting foreign tourists despite a confirmed COVID-19 case among Thai tourists during a pilot group tour conducted ahead of the resumption of foreign group tourist entries next month.

According to NHK on the 31st, Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting that there will be no change in the policy to accept foreign tourists scheduled to resume on the 10th of next month. This statement came after a Thai tourist who entered Japan on the 27th and was visiting Oita Prefecture in Kyushu tested positive for COVID-19.

The confirmed case reported a sore throat and was tested, confirming the infection. The individual is exhibiting mild symptoms and is staying at a lodging care facility. The other three members who traveled with the confirmed case have been classified as close contacts and are waiting at a different hotel. The infection route of the confirmed case has not been identified, and the group including the confirmed case has suspended their sightseeing activities.

Japan is conducting a pilot project for foreign tourism involving 50 people, including the Thai group, as well as travel agency representatives from the United States, Australia, and Singapore. The Japanese government plans to allow foreign entries for tourism purposes starting from the 10th of next month as scheduled, after a suspension lasting 2 years and 2 months since April 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Based on the pilot project, the Japanese government plans to establish guidelines for travel agencies and accommodation providers regarding the acceptance of foreign tourists and decide on specific measures such as how to require tourists to implement infection prevention measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.