Though Japan was lauded for containing the virus during the first wave, the country has recently seen a major spike in the number of cases and is experiencing the fourth wave of the virus.
At present, Japan has tightened travel restrictions due to the new Covid-19 variants with all tourists and business people being barred from entering the country.
Japan Covid Restrictions
- Passengers from permitted countries must provide proof of a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Refer to the updated list of restricted countries on the Japan Foreign Affairs website.
- The negative COVID 19 PCR test certificate presented to Japanese immigration officers must meet the approved format, which can be downloaded below. The certificate must have the passenger’s name and passport number or name and date of birth. Nationality is optional.
There is no exception for children and infants for the negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate requirement. However, Aircrew are not required to provide a COVID‑19 PCR negative certificate.
- The test must be by RT‑PCR nucleic acid amplification test, LAMP nucleic acid amplification test, TMA nucleic acid amplification test, TRC nucleic acid amplification test, Smart Amp nucleic acid amplification test, NEAR nucleic acid amplification test, Next-generation sequence or CLEIA quantitative antigen test.
The sample should be taken from Nasopharyngeal Swab only or Saliva only, and not in combination. Antigen test, rapid antigen test, antibody test are not accepted.
Japan Entry Ban Until When
Japan has imposed entry bans on 152 countries including the United States, Canada, all of Europe (including the United Kingdom), and most of Asia. The travel bans are currently in effect indefinitely and there are no signs that the borders will be opened to considerable numbers of COVID-19 cases.
Can I Transit Through Japan Covid
- Transferring via Japan to another country is allowed, provided you are holding a confirmed onward ticket on the same calendar day and remain in the international transit area of the airport.
- As long as you are staying in the international transit area of Kansai Aiport (KIX), Haneda (HND), or Narita (NRT) and there is no flight ban on commercial flights, you can still transit through Japan.
Transit In Japan Airport Covid-19
- First, before departing from Osaka Airport, the passenger must undergo security screening according to Japan domestic flight criteria in order to enter the Osaka Airport departure area.
Only passengers who have undergone screening and cleared the domestic flight criteria may depart.
- After departing Osaka Airport, the passenger arrives at Narita Airport for transit. What must be noted here is that the passenger in the arrival area has only been screened according to the Japan domestic flight criteria.
- However, in order for the connecting passenger to enter the Narita Airport international departure area, he or she must now undergo screening according to international flight criteria.
Only passengers who have undergone screening and cleared the international flight criteria may depart for the U.S.
Japan Quarantine Rules For Foreigners
Enforced quarantine measures
- All travellers including Japanese nationals have to submit a certificate of negative test result conducted within 72 hours prior to departing from the country/region where travellers stay when entering Japan.
Those who do not submit a certificate of the negative test result will be denied entry into Japan in accordance with the Quarantine Act. Airline companies will reject boarding those without one.
- All those who enter, re-enter or return to Japan (including Japanese nationals) are also subject to conducting of COVID-19 test upon arrival no matter whether arriving from the countries/regions designated as an area subject to denial of permission to enter Japan or not until further notice. Then they are required to stay 14 days at a location designated by the quarantine station chief (own residence etc.) and to refrain from using public transportation.
- Passengers returning to/entering Japan are recommended to complete the online quarantine questionnaire prior to arrival using the link here (Internet access is required) and the QR code issued on the website must be presented to a quarantine officer at the arrival airport.
If an internet connection is not accessible, then a printed version is acceptable by immigration.
- All Japanese nationals and foreign nationals with the status of residence are also required to pledge to refrain from using public transportation for 14 days and to be in quarantine at home or other designated areas for 14 days, retain the location data, and provide it to the health centers or other institutions, if requested. (If separate quarantine measures are to be taken, those also need to be pledged.)
They are required to sign and submit the Written Pledge (PDF) when entering Japan. Documents completed by an adult (parent or legal guardian) on behalf of small children and infants will be accepted.
- In case of violation, they may be subject to detention under Quarantine Act and the following shall apply:
- For Japanese nationals, names and other information that contribute to preventing the spread of infection may be made public.
- For foreign nationals with the status of residence, names, nationalities, and other information that contribute to preventing the spread of infection may be made public. They may also be subject to the revocation of status of residence and procedures for deportation under Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law.
Those who do not submit the “Written Pledge” are requested to stay at a location designated by the Chief of the Quarantine Station (only at the accommodation booked by the quarantine office) for 14 days.
Reinforced quarantine measures for all the travellers who enter, re-enter or return to Japan from designated countries/regions with coronavirus variant (B.1.617) confirmed for the first time in India.
- Japanese and Foreign nationals arriving from designated countries/regions with coronavirus variant (B.1.617) confirmed for the first time in India are requested to stay for 3 days at specific facilities designated by the chief of the quarantine station (limited to the accommodations facilities designated by the chief of the quarantine station) and then required to take the COVID-19 tests on the third day.
Those who have a negative result in the test may leave the facility and are requested to self-quarantine at home during the remaining period of 14 days after entering Japan.
- Among all cross-border travellers and returnees from the countries/regions mentioned above, especially those from countries/regions of high concern judged from a comprehensive assessment factoring in the current infection status, results of the COVID-19 test during the quarantine inspection at the Japanese airports among others, are requested, for the time being, to get tested for COVID-19 on the third and sixth days from the entry into Japan.
Then those who obtain the negative results of both COVID-19 tests may leave from facilities secured by the Quarantine Station but are still required to stay for the remaining period of 14 days after the entry into Japan at a location designated by the quarantine station chief (own residence etc.)
When Will Japan Open Borders
Japan has imposed entry bans on 152 countries including the United States, Canada, all of Europe (including the United Kingdom), and most of Asia. The travel bans are currently in effect indefinitely and there are no signs that the borders will be opened to considerable numbers of COVID-19 cases.
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