New Strengthened Border Security Measures to Reduce Spread of Novel Coronavirus (as of August 30, 2020)

1. Visitors and Immigrants from the United States (updated April 27, 2020)

As of April 3rd, the Government of Japan will not allow any visitors or immigrants from the United States to enter Japan.
 
Japanese nationals and special permanent residents are exempt from the aforementioned restriction. Permanent residents, spouses and/or children of Japanese nationals, spouses and/or children of permanent residents, and long-term residents who departed Japan before April 3rd with a normal or special re-entry permit are also exempt, but between the permit and granted duration of stay, only the one that expires first will be valid upon entry.
 
All incomers are expected to comply with the follwing restrictions:

(a) To fill out a questionnaire, and have an inspector take your body temperature and check for any existence of symptoms.
(b) To take a PCR test. It may take 1-2 days for results to become available. While waiting for your results, you are required to stay in self-quarantine/isolation at your own residence, hotel, or lodging facility, etc. but only if you have your own means of transportation (personal vehicle, rental car, etc.). If you do not have your own means of transportation, you are required to stay in a room inside the airport or designated facility as directed by the Quarantine Director.
(c) If and when the result is positive, you are required to stay in a hospital or facility.
(d) If and when the result is negative, you should self-quarantine/isolate at your own residence, hotel, or lodging facility, etc. for 14 days after arriving. An inspector from the local health center in the area you are staying may come to check on your wellbeing.
(e) To not use public transportation (trains, buses, taxis, shuttles, and planes) as a means of transportation to a designated self-quarantine/isolation location. Before arriving in Japan, please make sure to arrange transportation such as your own vehicle, rental car, etc. from the port of entry to the designated quarantine/isolation location, and also confirm you are able to stay at that location for 14 days.

2. Addtional Countries Subject to Entry Ban (updated August 30, 2020)

Based on decisions made on August 30, 2020 (originally implemented on May 14), the following countries in addition to those listed in #3 will be subject to the entry ban. Visitors and immigrants from and/or foreigners who have who have travelled to any of these countries within 14 days prior to applying for landing permission will be denied entry into Japan.

<Added August 30> Belize, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Gambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

<Added July 22> Botswana, Comoros, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Namibia, Nepal, Palestine, Paraguay, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Uzbekistan, Venezuela

<Added June 29> Algeria, Cameroon, Central Africa, Costa Rica, Cuba, Eswatini, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal

<Added May 26> Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ghana, Guinea, India, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Republic of South Africa, Tajikistan

<Added May 14> Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Maldives, Sao Tome and Principe, Uruguay 

Note: This measure originally took effect as of 12:00am on May 16, 2020 and will be updated regularly throughout the duration of the pandemeic.

3. Countries Subject to Entry Ban (updated March 26, 2020)

Visitors and immigrants from and/or foreigners who have travelled to any of the countries/regions listed below within 14 days of arriving in Japan will not be allowed to enter Japan, unless exempt due to extraordinary circumstances.
 
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, China (Hubei and Zhejiang Provinces), Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Korea (Daegu/Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsan-si, Andong-si, Yeongcheon-si, Chilgok-gun, Uiseonggun, Seongju-gun, Cheongdo-gun, Gunwi-gun), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, and Vatican City

Note: This measure originally took effect as of 12:00am on March 7th and is updated regularly. Current version is effective as of 12:00am on May 16th and will remain in place until further notice. Individuals who departed and/or arrived in Japan before implementation are exempt.

4. Countries Subject to Mandatory Quarantine (updated March 28, 2020)
 
Visitors and immigrants from the countries listed below will be quarantined for 14 days at a location designated by the Quarantine Director or Station Chief and should not use public transportation (trains, buses, taxis, and shuttles).
 
Bahrain, Brunei, China (excluding designated regions in #2), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Israel, Korea (excluding designated regions in #2), Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam
 
Note: This measure applies to passengers travelling by aircraft and/or vessel that departed any of the above countries after 12:00am on March 28th, and will remain in place through April 30th with the possibility of extension.

5. Suspension of Visas, Visa Exemptions, and Preclearance (updated March 26, 2020)

The following will be temporarily suspended through April 30th.

(a) Valid single and multiple-entry visas including diplomatic and official issued before or on March 27th by a Japanese Embassy, Consulate-General, or Consulate located in any of the countries listed below.

Andorra, Bulgaria, China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Ireland, Iran, Korea, Monaco, San Marino, Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) Romania, United Kingdom, and Vatican City

(b) Applications for visa exemptions for countries listed in (a).
(c) Valid preclearance granted to APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTC) issued by countries listed in (a).

Note: Measures 4(a)-(b) and 4(c) originally took effect as of 12:00am on March 9th and 12:00am on March 26th respectively. All measures will remain in place through April 30th with the possibility of extension.

6. Restriction on Ports of Entry for China and Korea (updated March 28, 2020)

Aircafts: restricting arrival airports for passenger flights from China and Korea to Narita International Airport and Kansai International Airport only. Airlines operating flights to and/or from Japan have been requested to strictly adhere to this restriction.

Vessels: suspension of passenger vessels departing from China and Korea. Vessel companies operating trips to and from Japan have been requested to strictly adhere to this suspension. 

Note: This measure originally took effect as of 12:00am on March 9th and will remain in place through April 30th with the possibility of extension. 

7. Continuation of New Restrictions Implemented regarding China and Korea

At the 17th Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters meeting held on March 5th, it was decided the implementation period for mandatory quarantine, port of entry restriction, and visa restrictions related to China (including Hong Kong and Macao) and Korea that were originally in effect until March 31st will be extended through April 30th with the possibility of further extension.