Mar 5, 2020, 5:17 pm
Last edit by: CPH-Flyer
This thread is for discussion of the coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to Japan. Non-Japan-related discussion should be taken either to the most relevant forum, the Coronavirus and Travel forum, or the OMNI forums.
UPDATE FOR TOURISTS LOOKING TO VISIT JAPAN AFTER COVID-19 BORDER RESTRICTIONS EASE
Japan does currently not allow entry for general tourism purposes. Most visa waivers are suspended, and travel to Japan for non resident foreigners generally require a visa. And quarantine as described for the countries and territories below.
UPDATE FOR PEOPLE WITH VISAS THAT ALLOW ENTRY INTO JAPAN
The quarantine requirements mentioned below will generally apply to entrants in Japan. As the conditions of who can obtain a visa for entry on exceptional circumstances are not clearly listed anywhere, it is necessary to confirm entry requirements with your local Japanese diplomatic representatives
Spouses and children of foreign permanent residents or Japanese nationals, can obtain visas for short term stays (up to 90 days) by applying in person or by mail at an overseas Japanese consulate. Required documentation includes application form, letter with reason for purpose of visit, bank statement and Koseki Tohon. Processing times have been reported as on the spot to up to one week.
From March 1st, business travelers, students and technical trainees can again enter Japan. There is a need to have a receiving organisation to apply for the visa. For business travelers, there will be one point of contact with the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare. Though the full details are not published yet (as of typing on the 27th of February, please add them if you have seen them)
Business travelers must have a Japanese company or organization apply for a Certificate for Completion of Registration to the MHLW ERFS system. This is a two step process. The company must first register and then apply for the Certificate for the traveler. These can both be done online and completed in less than an hour.The website for doing this is https://entry.hco.mhlw.go.jp/.
After getting the certificate the traveler must apply for visa at the Japanese Consulate or Embassy with jurisdiction for where they reside. (They are quite strict about this. E.g. you can't apply while traveling in a foreign country.) The information on the Consulate pages state that you need Letter of Guarantee, Invitation Letter, etc when applying for the visa. In fact, however, if you have the EFRS certificate, all you need is the visa application, your passport and a photo. The Consulate will issue the visa within 5 days.
UPDATE JAPANESE CITIZENS AND RETURNING FOREIGN JAPAN RESIDENTS
All people travelling to Japan has to present a negative PCR test taking no earlier than. 72 hours before departure to be able to board the flight. The certificate has to meet the information requirements and test types from the Japanese government.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000799426.pdf
From the 7th of June, passport number, nationality, signature and stamp from the doctor/medical institution are no longer required.
The requirement for pre-departure test will be removed for passengers on flights landing after the 7th of September 00:00 provided that they have received a full bases vaccination and a booster vaccination. Accepted vaccines are Moderna, Pfizer, Astra, Zeneca, J&J, Novavax, Covaxin.
Uploading documents in advance via the mysos app or via the mysos website is required. For details please see https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/
The arrival process is as follows. Countries will be grouped in red, yellow, and blue.
Red countries:
Albania, Sierra Leone
Yellow countries:
Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cook Island, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Macau, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Republic of Burundi, Republic of Congo, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Vanuatu, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe
Blue countries:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentine, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyz, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Western Sahara, Zambia
For updates to the lists of countries and territories and changes to the rules check the website of the ministry of foreign affairs https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html and ask in the thread for clarifications and experiences of entering Japan.
UPDATE FOR TOURISTS LOOKING TO VISIT JAPAN AFTER COVID-19 BORDER RESTRICTIONS EASE
Japan does currently not allow entry for general tourism purposes. Most visa waivers are suspended, and travel to Japan for non resident foreigners generally require a visa. And quarantine as described for the countries and territories below.
UPDATE FOR PEOPLE WITH VISAS THAT ALLOW ENTRY INTO JAPAN
The quarantine requirements mentioned below will generally apply to entrants in Japan. As the conditions of who can obtain a visa for entry on exceptional circumstances are not clearly listed anywhere, it is necessary to confirm entry requirements with your local Japanese diplomatic representatives
Spouses and children of foreign permanent residents or Japanese nationals, can obtain visas for short term stays (up to 90 days) by applying in person or by mail at an overseas Japanese consulate. Required documentation includes application form, letter with reason for purpose of visit, bank statement and Koseki Tohon. Processing times have been reported as on the spot to up to one week.
From March 1st, business travelers, students and technical trainees can again enter Japan. There is a need to have a receiving organisation to apply for the visa. For business travelers, there will be one point of contact with the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare. Though the full details are not published yet (as of typing on the 27th of February, please add them if you have seen them)
Business travelers must have a Japanese company or organization apply for a Certificate for Completion of Registration to the MHLW ERFS system. This is a two step process. The company must first register and then apply for the Certificate for the traveler. These can both be done online and completed in less than an hour.The website for doing this is https://entry.hco.mhlw.go.jp/.
After getting the certificate the traveler must apply for visa at the Japanese Consulate or Embassy with jurisdiction for where they reside. (They are quite strict about this. E.g. you can't apply while traveling in a foreign country.) The information on the Consulate pages state that you need Letter of Guarantee, Invitation Letter, etc when applying for the visa. In fact, however, if you have the EFRS certificate, all you need is the visa application, your passport and a photo. The Consulate will issue the visa within 5 days.
UPDATE JAPANESE CITIZENS AND RETURNING FOREIGN JAPAN RESIDENTS
All people travelling to Japan has to present a negative PCR test taking no earlier than. 72 hours before departure to be able to board the flight. The certificate has to meet the information requirements and test types from the Japanese government.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000799426.pdf
From the 7th of June, passport number, nationality, signature and stamp from the doctor/medical institution are no longer required.
The requirement for pre-departure test will be removed for passengers on flights landing after the 7th of September 00:00 provided that they have received a full bases vaccination and a booster vaccination. Accepted vaccines are Moderna, Pfizer, Astra, Zeneca, J&J, Novavax, Covaxin.
Uploading documents in advance via the mysos app or via the mysos website is required. For details please see https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/
The arrival process is as follows. Countries will be grouped in red, yellow, and blue.
- Group “Red”：On-arrival test is required. 3-day quarantine at a government-designated facility is required, however, those who obtain a valid vaccination certificate may have 5-day home quarantine (or 3-day home quarantine + negative result of a voluntary test) instead.
- Group “Yellow”：On-arrival test and 5-day home quarantine (or 3-day home quarantine + negative result of a voluntary test) are required, however, those who obtain a valid vaccination certificate are not required to have on-arrival test, home quarantine and other measures.
- Group “Blue”：Regardless of the vaccination status of the entrants/returnees, on-arrival test, home quarantine and other measures are not required.
Red countries:
Albania, Sierra Leone
Yellow countries:
Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cook Island, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Macau, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Republic of Burundi, Republic of Congo, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Vanuatu, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe
Blue countries:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentine, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyz, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Western Sahara, Zambia
For updates to the lists of countries and territories and changes to the rules check the website of the ministry of foreign affairs https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html and ask in the thread for clarifications and experiences of entering Japan.
Coronavirus impact in Japan [consolidated]
Feb 17, 2020, 11:14 pm
#196
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,658
It's reported that the government has completed throat swabs of all remaining passengers (Feb. 17) on the Corona Princess, and results will start to be known on the 19 of February. Passengers will be allowed to get off the ship once their test results are known from the 19th to 21st..
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202..._news-main_001
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202..._news-main_001
Feb 17, 2020, 11:59 pm
#197
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
English report of the same
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.XkuI4sqIahA
This is just insane. A negative test result, especially with known failures of throat swabs, and unknown first and last exposures to the virus isn't really all that useful by itself. The point of quarantine isn't just to wait for a set period of time, it's to establish that the quarantined group isn't contagious/carrier of disease. The continual positive tests shows that isn't the case.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.XkuI4sqIahA
This is just insane. A negative test result, especially with known failures of throat swabs, and unknown first and last exposures to the virus isn't really all that useful by itself. The point of quarantine isn't just to wait for a set period of time, it's to establish that the quarantined group isn't contagious/carrier of disease. The continual positive tests shows that isn't the case.
Feb 18, 2020, 12:03 am
#198
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,381
Tokyo Marathon is March 1st. Don't know about reimbursement (I'd guess that their lawyers had this case covered...), but they've also announced intentions to reduce crowd sizes as well. This race has become nothing more than to fulfill obligations to the elite runners and for the final selections to the Olympics team.
On a personal level (don’t want to get into details), I’m sort of going through an analogous situation where I’m trying to recoup a certain fee from a Japanese hotel that I can’t believe they’re being so unyielding with. I’m a repeat visitor there and, if they don’t compromise, I am not sure I can bring myself to go back there again.
Feb 18, 2020, 12:11 am
#199
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,381
English report of the same
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.XkuI4sqIahA
This is just insane. A negative test result, especially with known failures of throat swabs, and unknown first and last exposures to the virus isn't really all that useful by itself. The point of quarantine isn't just to wait for a set period of time, it's to establish that the quarantined group isn't contagious/carrier of disease. The continual positive tests shows that isn't the case.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.XkuI4sqIahA
This is just insane. A negative test result, especially with known failures of throat swabs, and unknown first and last exposures to the virus isn't really all that useful by itself. The point of quarantine isn't just to wait for a set period of time, it's to establish that the quarantined group isn't contagious/carrier of disease. The continual positive tests shows that isn't the case.
I hope Jpn is actively soliciting inputs from experts in other countries.
Feb 18, 2020, 12:41 am
#200
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
they’re not going to offer any refund to ‘regular’ participants (vast majority) which is poor form. Norwegian voluntarily comped everyone onboard that ship for the cruise plus all other indirectly associated costs, something they didn’t have to do esp since the company’s hurting. Just another little example of poor form on part of Japanese in all of this. And to shut out commoners who paid and keep their money but still actually hold the race for elites is just a slap in the face.
On a personal level (don’t want to get into details), I’m sort of going through an analogous situation where I’m trying to recoup a certain fee from a Japanese hotel that I can’t believe they’re being so unyielding with. I’m a repeat visitor there and, if they don’t compromise, I am not sure I can bring myself to go back there again.
On a personal level (don’t want to get into details), I’m sort of going through an analogous situation where I’m trying to recoup a certain fee from a Japanese hotel that I can’t believe they’re being so unyielding with. I’m a repeat visitor there and, if they don’t compromise, I am not sure I can bring myself to go back there again.
Did you mean Princess and not Norwegian? All the cruise lines are hurting right now but Norwegian is a separate corporation owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Princess and Holland America are owned by Carnival Corp and both cancelled future Asia sailings. Diamond Princess sailings are cancelled through late April and Hal Westerdam cancelled the coming month end cruise. Celebrity, owned by Royal Caribbean, also cancelled Asia sailings onboard the Celebrity Millennium Feb 11 and moved the ship over to the US West Coast early. Cruise lines which cancel their Asia sailings are generally giving a full refund and 25-50% future cruise credit to be used within a year, plus helping with flight change fees and/or local hotel if the cruise was due to depart soon.
Princess is also cancelling Sapphire Princess Shanghai sailings and repositioning to Australia 6 months early. They also recently announced that self-cancellations for Asia cruises from Jan 20, 2020 will be receiving a compensation package https://www.princess.com/news/notice...ellations.html Jan 30 would have been the last day to cancel on still scheduled April 29 Diamond Princess sailing without penalty, assuming 90 day final payment. People might not be out too much non-refundable money for that, yet, and it looks like Princess will be sending some compensation packages (possibly future cruise credit?). I also wouldn't be too surprised if they send the ship into deep clean, flood the HVAC system, and replace the soft goods which they can't launder on high heat.
There are sailings which are being rejected by small South Pacific islands and cruise lines are providing small courtesy credit (ie $50) for the missed ports from what I've read so far.
Last edited by freecia; Feb 18, 2020 at 12:50 am
Feb 18, 2020, 1:04 am
#201
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,381
my apologies, I meant princess not Norwegian.
I think Tokyo Marathon is one of several meets whose results Jpn Athletics will take into consideration for Olympics selection.
I think Tokyo Marathon is one of several meets whose results Jpn Athletics will take into consideration for Olympics selection.
Feb 18, 2020, 2:00 am
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,658
English report of the same
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.XkuI4sqIahA
This is just insane. A negative test result, especially with known failures of throat swabs, and unknown first and last exposures to the virus isn't really all that useful by itself. The point of quarantine isn't just to wait for a set period of time, it's to establish that the quarantined group isn't contagious/carrier of disease. The continual positive tests shows that isn't the case.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.XkuI4sqIahA
This is just insane. A negative test result, especially with known failures of throat swabs, and unknown first and last exposures to the virus isn't really all that useful by itself. The point of quarantine isn't just to wait for a set period of time, it's to establish that the quarantined group isn't contagious/carrier of disease. The continual positive tests shows that isn't the case.
they’re not going to offer any refund to ‘regular’ participants (vast majority) which is poor form. Norwegian voluntarily comped everyone onboard that ship for the cruise plus all other indirectly associated costs, something they didn’t have to do esp since the company’s hurting. Just another little example of poor form on part of Japanese in all of this. And to shut out commoners who paid and keep their money but still actually hold the race for elites is just a slap in the face.
On a personal level (don’t want to get into details), I’m sort of going through an analogous situation where I’m trying to recoup a certain fee from a Japanese hotel that I can’t believe they’re being so unyielding with. I’m a repeat visitor there and, if they don’t compromise, I am not sure I can bring myself to go back there again.
On a personal level (don’t want to get into details), I’m sort of going through an analogous situation where I’m trying to recoup a certain fee from a Japanese hotel that I can’t believe they’re being so unyielding with. I’m a repeat visitor there and, if they don’t compromise, I am not sure I can bring myself to go back there again.
So what is with all the frothing ? Are any of you HERE ?
Feb 18, 2020, 2:46 am
#203
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
I figure, hey if there is no Marathon, just have a Snickers.
Feb 18, 2020, 3:32 am
#204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,658
Feb 18, 2020, 3:56 am
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,439
Another 88 infections found on the boat. bringing the total up to 542.
And yet Japan is going to let thousands of these people walk freely throughout Japan starting from tomorrow, even though every other nation that's taking their people back is requiring and additional 14 nights of quarantine.
The incompetence on the part of the Japanese government is truly staggering.
And yet Japan is going to let thousands of these people walk freely throughout Japan starting from tomorrow, even though every other nation that's taking their people back is requiring and additional 14 nights of quarantine.
The incompetence on the part of the Japanese government is truly staggering.
Feb 18, 2020, 4:30 am
#206
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: next to HAM
Programs: LH M+M
Posts: 960
Hmm, a simliar conference (size/audience) to "mine" has just been cancelled.
What's happening along Diamond Princess is really worrying. Looking very closely for the next days.
Thanks to the locals for translating key news from NHK!
What's happening along Diamond Princess is really worrying. Looking very closely for the next days.
Thanks to the locals for translating key news from NHK!
Feb 18, 2020, 6:28 am
#207
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 24
Going to Japan in a few weels, absolutely zero concern about Coronavirus. The hysteria is dumb.
Feb 18, 2020, 8:24 am
#208
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,417
How can the Tokyo Marathon refuse to let recreational runners participate without refunding their registration fees? Nonrefundable hotel reservations and plane tickets are a different matter. Also, if these folks travel to Japan anyway because of these costs, how can they be prevented from joining crowds on the street watching the race?
Feb 18, 2020, 12:19 pm
#209
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416