Tokyo Olympics: Japan aims to allow ‘large-scale’ numbers of overseas visitors – Reports


Tokyo Olympics: Japan aims to allow ‘large-scale’ numbers of overseas visitors – Reports

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With the COVID-19 pandemic raging around the world and showing no signs of stopping, the Tokyo Olympic Games were postponed from 2020 to 2021. There were a plethora of questions facing the organizers as to how the games would be organized if a vaccine doesn’t arrive and as to how spectators would be allowed.

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Now, reports have come in according to Nikkei Business Daily that Japan is aiming to allow ‘large-scale’ numbers of overseas tourists and spectators if they submit COVID-19 test results and download a tracking app on their phones on arrival into the city. The newspaper report did not mention the source of the news nor did it talk about other details like how many visitors would allowed, whether there would be a mandatory quarantine period and so on.

Japan and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga receive backlash

Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga

Reports that Japan is planning to allow visitors has been around for quite a long time since the postponement of the Olympic Games. The same has been speculated by many to be Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s plan to boost tourism and hence the country’s economy. Despite the fact that the pandemic is showing no signs of stopping, the Prime Minister has always aimed for promoting tourism and travel.

A recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the country led to severe backlash from various spheres for Suga with many calling out his reluctance to curb travel amidst the pandemic. The newspaper report mentioned various words of backlash received from the general public and also of the government aiming for visitors to take a private medical insurance before coming to Tokyo.

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The report further mentioned that visitors will not be asked to undergo the mandatory two-week quarantine period provided they download and use the planned app on their smartphones.

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