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]
Aug 13, 2022, 3:41 pm
#9691
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Posts: 20,434
It's hard to claim that Japan is using public health issues as merely an excuse to keep foreigners out of the country, when there really ARE public health issues still raging on today. Okinaws's issues have been further exacerbated by domestic tourists coming into the prefecture, falling ill with COVID (or other things like heat stroke) and further straining their system. And with immunity to BA 5 providing very little protection against BA 2.75, the same thing is likely to happen again with the eighth wave.
It's embarrassing AF for all parties to admit that Japan cannot adapt to life with COVID, but sadly, this is still the reality here, and no amount of bullying by the EU will change that. If they really want Japan to open more quickly, then send some delegations from the WHO to build a medical Marshall Plan to get us through this.
It's embarrassing AF for all parties to admit that Japan cannot adapt to life with COVID, but sadly, this is still the reality here, and no amount of bullying by the EU will change that. If they really want Japan to open more quickly, then send some delegations from the WHO to build a medical Marshall Plan to get us through this.
Aug 13, 2022, 7:20 pm
#9692
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,746
MySOS vs Visit Japan app?
So when I was researching requirements for re-entering Japan recently, I found some information somewhere which suggested that I would need BOTH the MySOS app and the Visit Japan app (https://www.digital.go.jp/en/service..._japan_web-en/). But when I try to find that info again, all I find is that MySOS is necessary. Is it not necessary to use Visit Japan also? When I look at the description of both apps, they both claim to do the same thing (upload PCR test results etc) and they seem duplicative. Can I just use MySOS and forget about Visit Japan?
Thanks for any replies and sorry for my confusion!
Thanks for any replies and sorry for my confusion!
Aug 13, 2022, 7:28 pm
#9693
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,576
So when I was researching requirements for re-entering Japan recently, I found some information somewhere which suggested that I would need BOTH the MySOS app and the Visit Japan app (<a href="https://www.digital.go.jp/en/services/visit_japan_web-en/">https://www.digital.go.jp/en/services/visit_japan_web-en/</a><img src="https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" data-cke-saved-src="https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" title="Wink" alt="
"></img>. But when I try to find that info again, all I find is that MySOS is necessary. Is it not necessary to use Visit Japan also? When I look at the description of both apps, they both claim to do the same thing (upload PCR test results etc) and they seem duplicative. Can I just use MySOS and forget about Visit Japan?<br /><br />Thanks for any replies and sorry for my confusion!
"></img>. But when I try to find that info again, all I find is that MySOS is necessary. Is it not necessary to use Visit Japan also? When I look at the description of both apps, they both claim to do the same thing (upload PCR test results etc) and they seem duplicative. Can I just use MySOS and forget about Visit Japan?<br /><br />Thanks for any replies and sorry for my confusion!This is the first I'd heard of Visit Japan Web, and I last came home here to Japan a month ago (using fasttrak/mysos). Looks like VJW is optional, based on the bottom of this link: https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/faq/fasttrack-en.html
I mean technically both are optional I suppose, but obviously strongly recommended. Assuming you don't need to quarantine give your situation, seems to me that VJW is superfluous https://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_...ndedentry.html
Man flyertalk is a friggin mess right now on Windows Edge... can't edit posts without them getting totally corrupted
Last edited by pesos; Aug 13, 2022 at 7:36 pm
Aug 13, 2022, 7:56 pm
#9694
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 201
It's hard to claim that Japan is using public health issues as merely an excuse to keep foreigners out of the country, when there really ARE public health issues still raging on today. Okinaws's issues have been further exacerbated by domestic tourists coming into the prefecture, falling ill with COVID (or other things like heat stroke) and further straining their system. And with immunity to BA 5 providing very little protection against BA 2.75, the same thing is likely to happen again with the eighth wave.
It's embarrassing AF for all parties to admit that Japan cannot adapt to life with COVID, but sadly, this is still the reality here, and no amount of bullying by the EU will change that. If they really want Japan to open more quickly, then send some delegations from the WHO to build a medical Marshall Plan to get us through this.
It's embarrassing AF for all parties to admit that Japan cannot adapt to life with COVID, but sadly, this is still the reality here, and no amount of bullying by the EU will change that. If they really want Japan to open more quickly, then send some delegations from the WHO to build a medical Marshall Plan to get us through this.
This is really the most baffling part of the COVID response in Japan to me, especially when the cat got out of the bag and community spread began.
Aug 13, 2022, 7:57 pm
#9695
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 273
It's embarrassing AF for all parties to admit that Japan cannot adapt to life with COVID, but sadly, this is still the reality here, and no amount of bullying by the EU will change that. If they really want Japan to open more quickly, then send some delegations from the WHO to build a medical Marshall Plan to get us through this.[/QUOTE]
Gotta love that Western arrogance. "Marshall Plan" FFS.
Gotta love that Western arrogance. "Marshall Plan" FFS.
Aug 13, 2022, 8:34 pm
#9696
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,434
Wouldn't the possible reclassification of COVID letting all hospitals (i.e not just "designated hospitals") deal with COVID patients help with this?
This is really the most baffling part of the COVID response in Japan to me, especially when the cat got out of the bag and community spread began.
This is really the most baffling part of the COVID response in Japan to me, especially when the cat got out of the bag and community spread began.
And on top of that, COVID is actually NOT just another flu or cold, and still deserves some level of special treatment.
Aug 13, 2022, 8:52 pm
#9697
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 201
). Anyways, I don't claim to be an expert on the bureaucracy there, but it seems somewhat self defeating at this point...unless there is some sort of hard physical difference between designated hospitals and other hospitals that makes the same infection prevention and control measures impossible.
If COVID patients were limited to "designated hospitals" where I'm from we would have collapsed in the second wave. Here most hospitals (unless they're tiny) can and will care for COVID patients unless they need something like ECMO. It's why I find the idea of maintaining "designated hospitals" when there are 200k+ people being infected a day a bit odd, and again is probably why there are calls for changes in that (from what I remember in an article I read this past month some of the medical societies were calling for this?).
Aug 13, 2022, 8:58 pm
#9698
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,162
I think (and hope) we may see something from the EU later in the year regarding this, if Japan continues to "consider the infection situation at home and abroad", without actually doing anything, for much longer.
Germany and Poland cared enough in 2020 to notify the EU commission about lack of visa waiver reciprocity, and the 24 month deadline since publication of the notification is 8th October 2022, if I recall correctly, which is when they are supposed to act according to the law.
If the EU makes a move, it will of course mean that Japanese citizens require a visa to visit most countries in Europe, which will definitely be noticed.
I would be surprised if the US or UK do anything.
Germany and Poland cared enough in 2020 to notify the EU commission about lack of visa waiver reciprocity, and the 24 month deadline since publication of the notification is 8th October 2022, if I recall correctly, which is when they are supposed to act according to the law.
If the EU makes a move, it will of course mean that Japanese citizens require a visa to visit most countries in Europe, which will definitely be noticed.
I would be surprised if the US or UK do anything.
Aug 13, 2022, 9:31 pm
#9699
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,162
It's hard to claim that Japan is using public health issues as merely an excuse to keep foreigners out of the country, when there really ARE public health issues still raging on today. Okinaws's issues have been further exacerbated by domestic tourists coming into the prefecture, falling ill with COVID (or other things like heat stroke) and further straining their system. And with immunity to BA 5 providing very little protection against BA 2.75, the same thing is likely to happen again with the eighth wave.
It's embarrassing AF for all parties to admit that Japan cannot adapt to life with COVID, but sadly, this is still the reality here, and no amount of bullying by the EU will change that. If they really want Japan to open more quickly, then send some delegations from the WHO to build a medical Marshall Plan to get us through this.
It's embarrassing AF for all parties to admit that Japan cannot adapt to life with COVID, but sadly, this is still the reality here, and no amount of bullying by the EU will change that. If they really want Japan to open more quickly, then send some delegations from the WHO to build a medical Marshall Plan to get us through this.
There is, however, a raging bureaucracy crisis, that fails to understand what is actually needed to deal with covid. Admittedly that is northing new in Japan, but let's not conflate the bureaucratic challenges with the health challenges. The health system would do just fine if there was not a bureaucratic need to stuff them with people who don't need to be there. And just to be clear I am not referring to the 27 here, they do probably need to actually be there.
Aug 13, 2022, 9:36 pm
#9700
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,746
Confusion quite appropriate :-)
This is the first I'd heard of Visit Japan Web, and I last came home here to Japan a month ago (using fasttrak/mysos). Looks like VJW is optional, based on the bottom of this link: https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/faq/fasttrack-en.html
I mean technically both are optional I suppose, but obviously strongly recommended. Assuming you don't need to quarantine give your situation, seems to me that VJW is superfluous https://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_...ndedentry.html
Man flyertalk is a friggin mess right now on Windows Edge... can't edit posts without them getting totally corrupted
This is the first I'd heard of Visit Japan Web, and I last came home here to Japan a month ago (using fasttrak/mysos). Looks like VJW is optional, based on the bottom of this link: https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/faq/fasttrack-en.html
I mean technically both are optional I suppose, but obviously strongly recommended. Assuming you don't need to quarantine give your situation, seems to me that VJW is superfluous https://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_...ndedentry.html
Man flyertalk is a friggin mess right now on Windows Edge... can't edit posts without them getting totally corrupted
Aug 13, 2022, 10:32 pm
#9701
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,434
Record COVID cases in Okinawa cause medical emergency
Authorities in Okinawa Prefecture declared a healthcare emergency on July 21. To ease the burden on hospitals, people are being asked to avoid using emergency outpatient services for minor issues and undergo coronavirus tests elsewhere.
The prefecture's 27 facilities that deal with coronavirus patients have been asked to scale back regular medical services and find more beds for infected people. Elective surgery, examinations and tests may be postponed for non-emergencies. Most of the medical facilities are facing staff shortages, with infections and close-contact status removing more than 1,200 from the workforce.
At Yuuai Medical Center in Tomigusuku City, staff are overwhelmed. A doctor at the hospital, Yamauchi Sunao, describes the crisis: "Here in Okinawa, we're unable to provide adequate medical care to those in need. We are in a desperate situation that we can't save lives that we could normally save."
He says the influx of summer holidaymakers into the area is making things worse. Tourists are calling emergency services for non-COVID reasons, such as alcohol poisoning and heatstroke. Yamauchi urges people to consider their impact on Okinawa if they choose to visit.
The prefecture's 27 facilities that deal with coronavirus patients have been asked to scale back regular medical services and find more beds for infected people. Elective surgery, examinations and tests may be postponed for non-emergencies. Most of the medical facilities are facing staff shortages, with infections and close-contact status removing more than 1,200 from the workforce.
At Yuuai Medical Center in Tomigusuku City, staff are overwhelmed. A doctor at the hospital, Yamauchi Sunao, describes the crisis: "Here in Okinawa, we're unable to provide adequate medical care to those in need. We are in a desperate situation that we can't save lives that we could normally save."
He says the influx of summer holidaymakers into the area is making things worse. Tourists are calling emergency services for non-COVID reasons, such as alcohol poisoning and heatstroke. Yamauchi urges people to consider their impact on Okinawa if they choose to visit.
Aug 13, 2022, 10:48 pm
#9702
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles...0m/0na/003000c
Does Japan want the PR disaster if this happened to say, an American tourist? I am in Japan every month but do not see any local desire for a drive to reopen to international tourism. The business pressure to remove quarantine restrictions to allow salarymen to more easily go on their international 空出張 has long since subsided.
I have always thought Japan will reopen somewhere between when it can and when it has to, with it being much closer to the latter than the former. Given May 2023 (G7) is the longstop date, at this stage, I guess Japan will probably only reopen around March 2023...
Does Japan want the PR disaster if this happened to say, an American tourist? I am in Japan every month but do not see any local desire for a drive to reopen to international tourism. The business pressure to remove quarantine restrictions to allow salarymen to more easily go on their international 空出張 has long since subsided.
I have always thought Japan will reopen somewhere between when it can and when it has to, with it being much closer to the latter than the former. Given May 2023 (G7) is the longstop date, at this stage, I guess Japan will probably only reopen around March 2023...
Aug 13, 2022, 10:51 pm
#9703
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,576
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles...0m/0na/003000c
Does Japan want the PR disaster if this happened to say, an American tourist? I am in Japan every month but do not see any local desire for a drive to reopen to international tourism. The business pressure to remove quarantine restrictions to allow salarymen to more easily go on their international 空出張 has long since subsided.
I have always thought Japan will reopen somewhere between when it can and when it has to, with it being much closer to the latter than the former. Given May 2023 (G7) is the longstop date, at this stage, I guess Japan will probably only reopen around March 2023...
Does Japan want the PR disaster if this happened to say, an American tourist? I am in Japan every month but do not see any local desire for a drive to reopen to international tourism. The business pressure to remove quarantine restrictions to allow salarymen to more easily go on their international 空出張 has long since subsided.
I have always thought Japan will reopen somewhere between when it can and when it has to, with it being much closer to the latter than the former. Given May 2023 (G7) is the longstop date, at this stage, I guess Japan will probably only reopen around March 2023...
Aug 13, 2022, 11:21 pm
#9704
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Join Date: Jul 2011
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Aug 13, 2022, 11:24 pm
#9705
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