Japan to reopen visa-free travel as Covid recedes

As Japan throws open its doors to visitors this week after more than two years of pandemic isolation, hopes for a tourism boom face tough headwinds amid shuttered shops and a shortage of hospitality workers.

From Tuesday, Japan will reinstate visa-free travel to dozens of countries, ending some of world’s strictest border controls to slow the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is counting on tourism to help invigorate the economy and reap some benefits from the yen’s slide to a 24-year low.

Arata Sawa is among those eager for the return of foreign tourists, who previously comprised up to 90% of the guests at his traditional inn.

“I’m hoping and anticipating that a lot of foreigners will come to Japan, just like before COVID,” said Sawa, the third-generation owner of the Sawanoya ryokan in Tokyo.

Just over half a million visitors have come to Japan so far in 2022, compared with a record 31.8 million in 2019. The government had a goal of 40 million in 2020 timed with the Summer Olympics until both were upended by the coronavirus.

Related News

Air India announces non-stop services between Delhi and Jaisalmer

September 9, 2025

Read full news

Air India Flight AI2913 returns to Delhi after fire indication

August 31, 2025

Read full news

Indian Army inducts first batch of Apache helicopters

July 22, 2025

Read full news

IAF fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan

July 9, 2025

Read full news

AI 171 crash: Samples of 210 victims matched and 187 mortals released, says Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel

June 19, 2025

Read full news

Air India plane crash: 144 DNA samples have been matched, says Gujarat Home Minister

June 17, 2025

Read full news