According to local reports, Japanese officials are looking at relaxing border controls capping the daily number of foreign travellers, as a way to boost the economy.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara told local TV the weak yen was the country’s most effective tool in attracting inbound tourism. Last week, the yen slid to its lowest point against the US dollar in 24 years.
Kihara said a cap on daily entries could be lifted in the “not so distant future”.
Japan had barred most foreign visitors for the last two years to slow the spread of the coronavirus, even banning overseas visitors from the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Earlier this month, the number of foreign tourists allowed to enter the country was raised from 20 000 to 50 000 per day and tourists were no longer required to travel with a guide.
However, Bloomberg reports that these restrictions would be lifted only for tourists who have had three vaccine doses or who can provide proof of a negative COVID test. Currently, all foreign visitors need a visa and they are all obliged to wear face masks for the duration of their trip.
