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 7, 2022, 1:48 am
#7576
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657
I have my reservation for #3 shot . It will be approximately 6.5 months since #2. Trick was to reserve Moderna. Pfizer has a wait list. Having mine done at the Shibuya-Ku mass vaccine centre near the station.
Feb 7, 2022, 2:41 am
#7577
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
I just received my letter booking letter from Minatoku last week, no booking until 8 months have passed. I have heard of some privately driven (through company etc) that goes with 7 months. I have yet to see anyone that was actually 6 months. But would be happy news if it finally came.
Here it says 7 mos for everyone, but my understanding this has been further shortened for the public sites also.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...cron-interval/
Feb 7, 2022, 2:58 am
#7578
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,178
I do not know whether it is limited to Workplace Vaccination sites, but they are 6 mos unless there is one shot left and there a person there who has had 7 mos pass in which case they displace you. Mine will be at about 7.5 mos but this is solely to do with own logistics.
Here it says 7 mos for everyone, but my understanding this has been further shortened for the public sites also.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...cron-interval/
Here it says 7 mos for everyone, but my understanding this has been further shortened for the public sites also.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...cron-interval/
Feb 7, 2022, 3:21 am
#7579
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Tokyo/Syd/Mel
Programs: NH Dia (MM), QF-Plt, S-La GC Dia, Marriot Plt
Posts: 226
Did you guys see that there might be some announcement of border controls later this week?
(This is a bit old now but i didn't see any discussion of it above).
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...rder-controls/
“Let’s hope that quarantine will be lifted on March 1,” Kono, who was drafted in last year to run the vaccine program but now heads public relations for Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told Reuters."
(This is a bit old now but i didn't see any discussion of it above).
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...rder-controls/
“Let’s hope that quarantine will be lifted on March 1,” Kono, who was drafted in last year to run the vaccine program but now heads public relations for Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told Reuters."
Feb 7, 2022, 3:28 am
#7580
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: HIJ
Posts: 260
I got my coupon for the booster at the end of January, 6 months after my second shot. Had no problem getting a reservation for a Pfizer booster last Friday. Guess it depends on where you live. I was expecting to have to wait 8 months and was very pleasantly surprised to see the coupon arrive after 6.
Feb 7, 2022, 3:48 am
#7581
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,178
Did you guys see that there might be some announcement of border controls later this week?
(This is a bit old now but i didn't see any discussion of it above).
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...rder-controls/
“Let’s hope that quarantine will be lifted on March 1,” Kono, who was drafted in last year to run the vaccine program but now heads public relations for Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told Reuters."
(This is a bit old now but i didn't see any discussion of it above).
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...rder-controls/
“Let’s hope that quarantine will be lifted on March 1,” Kono, who was drafted in last year to run the vaccine program but now heads public relations for Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told Reuters."
Feb 7, 2022, 8:05 pm
#7582
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,437
Kouchi will likely become the 36th prefecture to enter a pseudo emergency.
As for Tokyo and twelve other prefectures with a pseudo emergency set to expire on the 13th, while the pace of increase of infections is down considerably, they are nonetheless still increasing week over week, so the government has begun the process of extending them. Though the current thought is another three weeks, there is significant pressure within the government to keep it as short as possible.
My gut feeling, which has a Mendoza-like batting average but is due for a hit nonetheless, is that the government will extend to the end of February and thendo everything in its power to swiftly bring about the post-COVID era from March 1st onward, before the next Greek letter comes along to wreck havoc on their best laid plans.
As for Tokyo and twelve other prefectures with a pseudo emergency set to expire on the 13th, while the pace of increase of infections is down considerably, they are nonetheless still increasing week over week, so the government has begun the process of extending them. Though the current thought is another three weeks, there is significant pressure within the government to keep it as short as possible.
My gut feeling, which has a Mendoza-like batting average but is due for a hit nonetheless, is that the government will extend to the end of February and thendo everything in its power to swiftly bring about the post-COVID era from March 1st onward, before the next Greek letter comes along to wreck havoc on their best laid plans.
Feb 7, 2022, 9:25 pm
#7583
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,178
The Tokyo new infections curve could indicate some optimism.... But let's see
Feb 8, 2022, 3:34 am
#7584
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,437
155 deaths from the non-deadly Omicron variant today, highest single day total since May 18th.
Feb 8, 2022, 5:58 am
#7585
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,342
Feb 8, 2022, 6:03 am
#7586
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,342
155 deaths from the non-deadly Omicron variant today, highest single day total since May 18th.
Has Japan published data on current vaccinated vs unvaccinated deaths? It is strikingly obvious how well the vax work to curb death in the USA.
Feb 8, 2022, 10:32 pm
#7587
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Silver, ANA Mileage Club
Posts: 155
Can anyone provide info for my situation:
- Currently reside in Tokyo, but will need to go to South Africa in June or July...
- What is the current quarantine period for those with re-entry permit who are coming back from SA?
I'm reading conflicting things, which is why I wanted to ask. Thanks!
- Currently reside in Tokyo, but will need to go to South Africa in June or July...
- What is the current quarantine period for those with re-entry permit who are coming back from SA?
I'm reading conflicting things, which is why I wanted to ask. Thanks!
Feb 8, 2022, 10:37 pm
#7588
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,178
Can anyone provide info for my situation:
- Currently reside in Tokyo, but will need to go to South Africa in June or July...
- What is the current quarantine period for those with re-entry permit who are coming back from SA?
I'm reading conflicting things, which is why I wanted to ask. Thanks!
- Currently reside in Tokyo, but will need to go to South Africa in June or July...
- What is the current quarantine period for those with re-entry permit who are coming back from SA?
I'm reading conflicting things, which is why I wanted to ask. Thanks!
Feb 8, 2022, 11:02 pm
#7589
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,342
I feel like something’s coming for sure on this. US States that have been “safe” this entire time are finally throwing in the towel. Everyone sees it happening and there will be a ripple effect country to country. Especially for someone who’s a Japanese resident it will be an easier return…and man when they open the resident flood gates, the Japanese are going to bail like gangbusters. Hawaii with no return quarantine? It’s gonna be nuts. And I’m sure some of you here are thinking “omg…our people are going to be all mixed up with people from XYZ.” Let us pray.
Feb 8, 2022, 11:11 pm
#7590
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,178
I feel like something’s coming for sure on this. US States that have been “safe” this entire time are finally throwing in the towel. Everyone sees it happening and there will be a ripple effect country to country. Especially for someone who’s a Japanese resident it will be an easier return…and man when they open the resident flood gates, the Japanese are going to bail like gangbusters. Hawaii with no return quarantine? It’s gonna be nuts. And I’m sure some of you here are thinking “omg…our people are going to be all mixed up with people from XYZ.” Let us pray.