Japan to open to foreign tourists from 10 June

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced the opening of Japan to guided package-tour tourists from overseas starting June 10 that can come from more than 100 nations that are listed on its ‘blue list’. Preparations are on the way to allow international flights to land at New Chitose airport in Hokkaido and Naha airport in Okinawa starting in June. Kishida assured that the government will make it easy for tourists to enter Japan as has been done in other Group of Seven wealthy nations. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno earlier said that the easing of restrictions would mean about 80% of arrivals would be able to enter the country without undergoing testing or quarantine. Japan is considering putting Hong Kong on the blue list after the government allowed some small package tours for overseas visitors to be conducted on a trial basis this month.