Japan’s New Open‑Door Policy: Long‑Term Stay Pass but Tourist Curbs Stay
Japan’s travel bucket list just got a new item: more foreigners can now arrive for extended stays, even while the country keeps its COVID‑19 stay‑put rules for visitors. According to the Asahi newspaper, this patience‑picking change could hit the road next month.
Why Japan’s Travel Rules Have Been A Litmus Test
- Because pandemic‑protection is top‑soil: even permanent residents need a green‑light to head back.
- The government eased up a few months ago for students and business people from seven specific countries.
- Now they’re rolling the dice to broaden that window to anyone looking to stay beyond three months.
Key Takeaways on the New Plan
- Eligibility expanded: Students, medical staff and other long‑term visa holders can apply from any country.
- Quotas remain strict: a maximum of 1,000 entrants per day will be allowed under the new scheme.
- Covid limits stay firm for tourists, keeping those check‑ins and health checks on the agenda.
Japan’s COVID‑19 Record in a Nutshell
Japan keeps its case numbers and death toll impressively low, with a total of 79,900 infections and 1,519 deaths to date—best kept eyebrow‑raised by comparison to braverly battered nations.
While the country’s pandemic patience is cooling, it’s still seasoning restrictions for travelers, so not everyone’s travel dreams can unfold unfiltered, yet Japan’s balancing act might just be the best way to keep the sushi on the table without a health scare at the corner. Enjoy the new paths, and carry your masks!
