Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday (24 August) confirmed that from 7 September, Japan will no longer require vaccinated travellers to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure PCR test for Covid-19.
Currently, travellers entering Japan must show proof of a negative test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure. The country reopened to tourists on guided tours on 10 June.
Kishida said the Japanese government would also seek to increase the current 20,000 a day cap on incoming travellers "as soon as possible".
James Mundy, InsideJapan Tours PR and partnerships manager, said while the operator – which ran three small group tours in July – anticipated further "significant details" to emerge in the coming days, Wednesday’s announcement would remove "one major barrier" to Japanese travel.
"InsideJapan welcomes the removal of restrictions to travel to Japan and this is another big step gone," said Mundy. "We are expecting further easing of restrictions to be announced very soon."
Meanwhile, the announcement came just a day after fellow Asia specialist Wendy Wu Tours highlighted its 2023/24 Japan collection with an agent incentive, and revealed fresh capacity was selling out almost as quickly as it was being added.
"This is fantastic news for travellers to Japan," said head of trade sales Gary King. "We are approaching one of the key times to visit Japan, the spectacular autumn colours, and have numerous departures from September through to November.
"Such has been the demand that we’ve had to increase capacity by more than 50% for autumn and spring cherry blossom in 2023. This news couldn’t come at a better time for customers."
