US citizen trying to travel to Japan (coronavirus-related)
Mar 27, 2020, 4:01 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
However as mentioned, USA is not currently on the list.
Mar 29, 2020, 9:18 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: BRU, SIN, PEK
Programs: SQ TPP, LH SEN
Posts: 3,235
That looks set to change shortly.
The Asahi Shimbun is moving to refuse entry to all foreign nationals travelling on U.S. passports or who have been in the United States for the past two weeks.
The restriction is expected to be decided on as early as next week after coronavirus infections skyrocketed in the United States, making it the country with the highest number of cases.
Discussions are still being held to decide whether the measure would cover all of the United States or just certain parts, government sources said.
All foreign nationals who have been in the United States for the past two weeks would be denied entry unless they had pressing circumstances.
The restriction is expected to be decided on as early as next week after coronavirus infections skyrocketed in the United States, making it the country with the highest number of cases.
Discussions are still being held to decide whether the measure would cover all of the United States or just certain parts, government sources said.
All foreign nationals who have been in the United States for the past two weeks would be denied entry unless they had pressing circumstances.
May 5, 2020, 2:35 am
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
May 5, 2020, 5:33 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
Lol. Except under “extraordinary” circumstances which are not clearly defined but do not include temporary or permanent Japan residents, spouses of Japanese citizens, or any other non Japanese citizen visa holders.
May 5, 2020, 11:52 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Even then, expect to be tested, sit in the airport until your test comes back negative, and not be allowed to use any public transportation (taxi included) to leave the airport.
May 6, 2020, 1:56 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
May 6, 2020, 2:54 am
#23
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 1,659
Japan basically has no say in whether SOFA people can come or not - they literally do not exist for Japanese immigration (and, the opposite is also true - immigration authorities are also irrelevant for SOFA people).
Special permanent residents can come and please as they like - their status is basically the same as Japanese citizens.
Special permanent residents can come and please as they like - their status is basically the same as Japanese citizens.
May 6, 2020, 3:32 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
May 6, 2020, 6:50 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 1,659
Technically no - no fingerprints and immigration has no say in whether the person can actually enter. The person could literally be barred from entry into Japan and, if they show up with SOFA status, would have to be admittted.
May 7, 2020, 5:10 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 4,596
"Extraordinary" also includes life-and-death emergencies from what I understand, but you need advance clearance through the Japanese embassy/consulate, and it is not easy to get.
One loophole I discovered is that there is no ban on travelers from Mexico, so an American could fly to Mexico for a couple of weeks, then take a nonstop flight from MEX (assuming the list of banned countries doesn't change during that time). They would still have to do two weeks of self-quarantine after arrival in Japan, and I have heard that it isn't easy to book hotels in Mexico at the moment...
One loophole I discovered is that there is no ban on travelers from Mexico, so an American could fly to Mexico for a couple of weeks, then take a nonstop flight from MEX (assuming the list of banned countries doesn't change during that time). They would still have to do two weeks of self-quarantine after arrival in Japan, and I have heard that it isn't easy to book hotels in Mexico at the moment...
May 7, 2020, 6:26 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
May 8, 2020, 1:22 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
"Extraordinary" also includes life-and-death emergencies from what I understand, but you need advance clearance through the Japanese embassy/consulate, and it is not easy to get.
One loophole I discovered is that there is no ban on travelers from Mexico, so an American could fly to Mexico for a couple of weeks, then take a nonstop flight from MEX (assuming the list of banned countries doesn't change during that time). They would still have to do two weeks of self-quarantine after arrival in Japan, and I have heard that it isn't easy to book hotels in Mexico at the moment...
One loophole I discovered is that there is no ban on travelers from Mexico, so an American could fly to Mexico for a couple of weeks, then take a nonstop flight from MEX (assuming the list of banned countries doesn't change during that time). They would still have to do two weeks of self-quarantine after arrival in Japan, and I have heard that it isn't easy to book hotels in Mexico at the moment...
The Mexican/US border is closed to nonessential travel.
May 8, 2020, 1:52 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,631
May 8, 2020, 2:12 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 4,596