https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/09/23/national/kishida-japan-border-opening/ [japantimes] It looks like you're using an ad blocker. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. Thank you for supporting our journalism. * * PRINT SUBSCRIBERS | * SUBSCRIBE | * Login * My Account * * * weather icon 20 CLOUDY TOKYO (7 a.m.) TODAY'S PRINT EDITION The Japan Times The Japan Times * Login * SUBSCRIBE * My Account * PRINT SUBSCRIBERS [?] * (FREE ARTICLE) * * MENU * Search * News * Opinion * Life * Community * Culture * Sports * City Guide * Support * Search Search [ ] [Search] * National * Asia Pacific * Business * World * Reference * Multimedia * News + National + World + Business + Asia Pacific + Reference + Columns + Multimedia * Opinion + Editorials + Commentary + Cartoons * Life + Travel + Digital + Food & Drink + Environment + Style & Design + Language + Lifestyle + People + Columns + Multimedia * Community + Voices + Issues + Our Lives + Event listings + How-tos + Columns * Culture + Film + Music + Art + Stage + Events + Festivals + Books + TV + Columns + Multimedia * Sports + Rugby + Baseball + Soccer + Basketball + Sumo + Figure Skating + Tennis + More Sports + Columns + Multimedia * City Guide + Restaurants + Places * Support + About us + Faqs National Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap, Kishida says Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. If you're not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: https:// www.enable-javascript.com/ * Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a news conference in New York on Thursday. | POOL / VIA KYODO Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a news conference in New York on Thursday. | POOL / VIA KYODO * by Kanako Takahara * staff writer * * * SHARE * Sep 23, 2022 Japan will allow visa-free, independent tourism and abolish a daily arrival cap as of Oct. 11, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday, marking a major policy shift after nearly 21/2 years of strict COVID-19 restrictions. The government will also launch a nationwide travel discount program, which had been shelved due to the spread of COVID-19 infections. Unable to view this article? This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software. Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites. If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see this support page. We humbly apologize for the inconvenience. * * * In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. SUBSCRIBE NOW RELATED * Why Japan has been taking incremental steps to reopen its borders Why Japan has been taking incremental steps to reopen its borders * Even as Japan's border creaks open, unmarried couples still struggle to reunite Even as Japan's border creaks open, unmarried couples still struggle to reunite * Japan opens borders to foreign travelers on 'self-guided tours' Japan opens borders to foreign travelers on 'self-guided tours' PHOTO GALLERY (CLICK TO ENLARGE) * Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a news conference in New York on Thursday. | POOL / VIA KYODO KEYWORDS Fumio Kishida, Tourism, COVID-19, COVID-19 in Japan With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page. Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ * WHAT'S TRENDING * EDITORS' PICKS * Egyptians push back against 'whitewashing' of Egyptology The golden sarcophagus of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who reigned between 1342 and 1325 BC, as it lies for restoration at the restoration lab of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza on the southwestern outskirts of the capital Cairo.The golden sarcophagus of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who reigned between 1342 and 1325 BC, as it lies for restoration at the restoration lab of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza on the southwestern outskirts of the capital Cairo. * Typhoon Nanmadol weakens after bringing heavy rains to southwest Japan People holding umbrellas walk in front of JR Sendai Station on Tuesday morning as Typhoon Nanmadol weakened to an low-pressure tropical storm and moved across the Japanese archipelago to the Pacific.People holding umbrellas walk in front of JR Sendai Station on Tuesday morning as Typhoon Nanmadol weakened to an low-pressure tropical storm and moved across the Japanese archipelago to the Pacific. * At least two dead as Typhoon Nanmadol slams into Japan Raging waters flow along the Sendai River in the wake of Typhoon Nanmadol in Isa, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Monday.Raging waters flow along the Sendai River in the wake of Typhoon Nanmadol in Isa, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Monday. * Japan plans to reopen to independent travelers in major shift, report says The government reportedly intends to abolish the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000.The government reportedly intends to abolish the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000. * Japan may launch nationwide travel discount program in the fall Kyoto's Gion district earlier this month. The central government is considering launching a nationwide travel discount program as early as this autumn, after a delay due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.Kyoto's Gion district earlier this month. The central government is considering launching a nationwide travel discount program as early as this autumn, after a delay due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. * Kishida would be riding high except for a political misstep Thumbnail image * A cornered Putin is more dangerous than ever Thumbnail image * Climate takes a back seat to other problems at U.N. meet Thumbnail image * Even as Japan's border creaks open, unmarried couples still struggle to reunite Thumbnail image * Why young Japanese are more likely to back Abe's state funeral Thumbnail image PODCAST * SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS[icon_note] Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division. Guang Gao Chu Gao niGuan suruotoiawasehakochiramade Read more SUPPLEMENTS BINDER international-reports * Bridges by SMS + * Global Insight * GMI Post + * World Eye Reports Return to The Japan Times top page JT Digital Archives The Japan Times Alpha Study in Japan JT for Women JT Bookclub Japanese School Directory The Japan Times Jobs * SUBSCRIBE * NEWSLETTERS * ePaper Edition * * * * News + National + World + Business + Asia Pacific + Reference + Columns + Multimedia * Opinion + Editorials + Commentary + Cartoons * Life + Travel + Digital + Food & Drink + Environment + Style & Design + Language + Lifestyle + People + Columns + Multimedia * Community + Voices + Issues + Our Lives + Event listings + How-tos + Columns * Culture + Film + Music + Art + Stage + Events + Festivals + Books + TV + Columns + Multimedia * Sports + Rugby + Baseball + Soccer + Basketball + Sumo + Figure Skating + Tennis + More Sports + Columns + Multimedia * City Guide + Restaurants + Places * Support + About us + Faqs * About us * Contact us * Work with us * Privacy Policy * Link policy * Republishing * FAQs * Announcements * Press * Sitemap * Advertise The Japan Times LTD. All rights reserved. The Japan Times