TOKYO: Japan reopened its borders to some international travellers for the first time in two years on Friday, as it continues to take steps to boost inbound tourism to support the economy as concerns about the Covid-19 outbreak fade.

According to reports, the government originally opened its borders to tourists on guided tours from 98 nations and territories, with the countries and locations judged appropriate due to their low risk of Covid-19. The United States, the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand are examples of such countries. This group of foreign tourists is exempt from Covid-19 testing upon arrival in Japan and does not require any quarantine.

The maximum number of foreign visitors allowed into the country each day is 20,000. The administration indicated at the end of June that it expects full-scale tourism to resume, while it is concerned about an increase in diseases as more international visitors come.

According to the government, the expected number of foreign visitors visiting Japan in April was 139,500, down 95.2 percent from the same month last year. Japan's rigorous border controls have been widely criticised as being unduly harsh by educational institutions and business lobbying groups. Japan is now attempting to bring its border norms in line with those of the other G7 large nations.

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