First tourists in Japan face Covid-19 tests, chaperones and little free time

Before the pandemic, Japan was at the peak of a tourism boom, with inbound visitors reaching a record in 2019. Now, the island nation is one of the last remaining rich economies with strict border controls. - Reuters

TOKYO (Bloomberg): For the first time in two-plus years, tourists are coming back to Japan. The few allowed in under a trial programme were subject to tight hygiene measures and closely monitored, giving a glimpse of what visiting will be like after next month’s limited border reopening.

"We’re just happy to be back,” said Christopher Li after arriving in Tokyo from Hawaii. Like the rest of his small tour group, Li works in the travel industry and are also here to see how Japan will manage its reopening. "The prevention measures in Japan are very detailed.”