Japan doubles entry cap for overseas arrivals to 20,000

TOKYO, June 1 (KUNA) -- Japan doubled its daily entry cap on arrivals from overseas to 20,000 starting on Wednesday, ahead of resuming accepting foreign tourists later this month.
The ceiling was increased from 10,000 to 20,000 arrivals per day, the government said. As a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the country had banned new entries of non-resident foreign nationals since last November. However, the government eased restrictions to allow business travelers, technical interns and foreign students to enter the country in March. In addition, Japan will resume accepting overseas tourists from June 10, for the first time in nearly two years. Under the plan, tourist arrivals will be initially limited to guided package tours from the 98 countries and regions.
"We believe that the resumption of inbound tourism, which benefits from the depreciation of the Japanese yen, will have great significance for the local economy," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference. "We will continue easing border control measures gradually while balancing the prevention of the spread of infection and socio-economic activities," the top government spokesman added. (end) mk.lb