The state of emergency will be lifted as of October 1

The state of emergency will be lifted as of October 1

The government of Japan has announced that effective October 1, states of emergency currently in effect in 19 prefectures and quasi-states of emergency currently in force in eight prefectures in Japan will be lifted. However, local and prefectural governments may maintain certain restrictions, including those that restrict the operations of food / nightlife establishments. U.S. citizens are urged to continue to observe COVID-19 security measures and follow CDC and local guidelines.

Japan Travel Restrictions – Shortened Quarantine for Vaccinated Travelers

Entry ban for most foreigners
The government of Japan continues to enforce strict travel rules that prohibit most non-resident foreigners, including tourists and non-resident business travelers, from entering the country. Japanese citizens and foreign residents with re-entry permits are generally allowed to re-enter Japan, but must adhere to strict pre- and post-travel testing and quarantine requirements upon arrival.

The U.S. military and SOFA status personnel should speak with their command about upcoming trips, COVID-19 testing, and any restriction of movement (ROM) or quarantine requirements.

Pre-flight PCR test
All travelers to Japan must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of flight departure. These tests must be presented in the prescribed format and must meet very strict requirements. For more details, please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Failure to complete the prescribed form as required by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare may result in denial of entry to Japan. Travelers arriving without proof of a pre-travel COVID-19 test made no more than 72 hours before the departure of their international flight may be refused entry to Japan.

Quarantine requirement
The government of Japan has announced that effective October 1, the quarantine period for fully vaccinated travelers will be reduced to 10 days, subject to a negative PCR or antigen test on the 10th day of quarantine. Travelers who received two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel are eligible for the reduced quarantine period.

Acceptable proof of vaccination includes CDC white card or vaccination certificate issued by the following jurisdictions: Louisiana, Northern Mariana Islands, New York, Philadelphia, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC and Washington. Acceptable proof of vaccination for people vaccinated in Japan are: Certificate of vaccination for travel abroad (海外 渡 航 用 の 新型 コ ロ ナ ウ イ ル ス 感染 症 予 防 接種 証明書); vaccination certificate issued by Japanese local authorities (日本 の 地方 公共 団 体 よ り 発 行 さ れ た 、 新型 コ ロ ナ ウ イ ル ス ワ ク チ ン 予 防 接種 済 証); and vaccination certificate issued by Japanese medical providers (日本 の 医療 機関 当 に よ り 発 行 さ れ た 、 新型 コ ロ ナ ウ イ ル ス ワ ク チ ン 接種 記録 書). For a full list of acceptable proof of vaccination, please see this site online.

For complete information regarding the 10-day quarantine option, please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website. Currently, this information is only in Japanese. These websites are subject to change and are updated frequently.

All other travelers remain subject to the full 14-day quarantine period.

Travelers entering Japan are prohibited from using public transportation, including domestic flights, taxis, and rail services for the duration of their applicable quarantine period.

Additionally, unvaccinated travelers arriving from certain areas may be required to stay in a government-designated location for the first three days of their quarantine period. Fully vaccinated travelers will be exempt from this enhanced quarantine measure. Travelers should check the Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before traveling, as the list of areas requiring enhanced quarantine measures may change without notice.

Travelers seeking to transit through Japan en route to subsequent international destinations may continue to do so without quarantine if the transit is at the same airport and no overnight stay is required.

Important note
These complex regulations are subject to change with little notice. The ability of the U.S. Embassy to intervene on behalf of travelers denied boarding at their embarkation point or denied entry upon arrival in Japan is extremely limited, and travelers denied entry at Japanese ports of entry will likely be immediately re-embarked on return flights to the United States. .

Japan COVID-19 Vaccination Updates

The Japan Immigration Services Agency recently released advice on vaccination vouchers for foreign nationals residing in Japan. For assistance with scheduling vaccine appointments, please contact your municipal government offices or the Department of Health, Labor and Welfare call center at 0120-761770.

The US government does not provide COVID-19 vaccines to private US citizens abroad. Anyone planning to travel to the United States for a COVID-19 vaccine should visit the vaccins.gov website for information.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates do not issue vaccination certificates, and we are not aware of any entity in Japan that will issue vaccination certificates for those who have received a vaccine overseas. We encourage those who need a vaccination certificate to continue talking to their town hall or neighborhood office for clarification. When traveling abroad, people who have received their vaccine in the United States must travel with their white CDC vaccination card. Those who have received their vaccine in Japan and wish to apply for a vaccination certificate should contact their neighborhood office for more information.

COVID-19 test to travel to the United States

All air travelers, including U.S. citizens, to the United States are required to present a negative COVID-19 test performed within three days of boarding their flights. All travelers, including U.S. citizens, who do not present proof of a negative COVID-19 test or provide documentation showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 will not be allowed to board their flights. A list of some COVID-19 testing facilities is available on the Embassy’s website. This list is not understandable.

Travelers of US military status and SOFA should consult their chains of command before commencing their travel.

Get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 does not exempt travelers from the requirement to undergo a negative PCR test no more than three days before boarding a flight to the United States.

Availability of consular services

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates throughout Japan are open for routine services, but appointment availability remains limited. To make an appointment, visit our website for instructions. If you are renewing your passport, for faster service, please renew by mail following the instructions on our website.

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Assistance:

Department of State – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747