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Safe to visit?

One of the worse documents I've ever seen that has critical info for travel. And even more so with duplicate listings of the same state (i.e. Minnesota) but superseded by dates I suppose...

They sort their measures according to the variants of concern (first 4 states for B.117 and latter 15 states for B.1617.2). If Minnesota appeared twice, which means that they are concerned about the community spread of both variants there....

It needs a special talent to write such a mishmash document, but perhaps it's a direct translation from Japanese.

This one is definitely better explaining.
https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/...fferent-quarantine-rules-upon-re-entry-052821
 
Then they should give us what we can or can't do.

If they explained it better or made it easier then more people would come in. Obviously that is not what they want to happen.
 
What they should have are two queries to fill in;
What country you are coming from.
What State or prefecture.

Then they should give us what we can or can't do.
I’m not one of those foreign residents who always put the blame on other foreigners, many crimes committed by Japanese are swept under the rug, there has been cases of many locals who were caught partying in large groups when they shouldn’t be, but one thing has been essential to coronavirus measure since the beginning: Universal masking.
Masks have not become a cultural war like in America here in Japan. Face covering is nothing new here, it’s a cultural affinity, so when the virus arrived people did what they normally do and put a mask on. It’s very rare to see an anti masker on the streets, public transport, even “chin maskers” or “dick noses” are uncommon.
I’m sure some of the tourists will follow the rules, but just yesterday I talked to a Japanese friend (Works in the service industry) who was upset that she had to send away a regular customer because the customer threw a fit about putting on a mask in her shop. The woman was a.. *drumroll* foreigner.. My friend was very upset that she lost a customer and a fraction of her earnings because of the irresponsible behavior of this woman.

Personally I don’t see the point of refusing to wear a mask. I truly enjoy the anonymity, it’s hygienic to wear a mask when getting a manicure etc, sometimes I just put my skincare on and I don’t even have to wear lipstick or concealer to get groceries. And now there are colorful masks to match with my outfits. It’s only uncomfortable while working out during the humid months in Japan.
 
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FYI just in case.

Some wards/cities in Tokyo start vaccinating non-elderly people with underlying medical conditions (see below). If you are with one of the listed medical conditions, you are eligible to apply for a vaccine coupon by declaring that you have one of those conditions. It does not need to be certified by your primary care provider, but you may need to write the name of the hospital where you receive medical care in the application. For a false declaration, they may deny your receiving a shot at pre-vaccination screening. You can find more detail at your ward/city's website under 基礎疾患のある方の優先接種.

The confusing fact is that there is no unified policy over Tokyo - it depends on your ward/city. Adachi has already started vaccinating people in this category. I can find Chiyoda, Chuo, Shibuya and Meguro calling on people in this category to apply for the coupons. I can't find any information regarding this yet in Shinagawa, Shinjuku and Minato.

1. People with the following illnesses or conditions who receive outpatient or inpatient care

1. Chronic respiratory disease
2. Chronic heart disease (including hypertension)
3. Chronic kidney disease
4. Chronic liver disease (liver cirrhosis, etc.)
5. Diabetes being treated with insulin or medication, or diabetes associated with other diseases
6. Blood diseases (excluding iron deficiency anemia)
7. Diseases that impair the functioning of the immune system (including malignant tumors under treatment)
8. Receiving treatment that depresses the immune system, including steroids
9. Neurological and neuromuscular diseases associated with immune abnormalities
10. Decreased body functions due to neurological or neuromuscular diseases (including breathing disorders)
11. Chromosomal abnormality
12. Severe mental and physical disabilities (severe physical disabilities and severe intellectual disabilities)
13. Sleep apnea syndrome
14. Severe mental illness (hospitalized for treatment of mental illness, holding a mental disability certificate or falling under the category of “severe and continuous” in self-supporting medical care (psychiatric hospital care)) or intellectual disabilities (holding a rehabilitation certificate)

2. Obese individuals who meet the criteria (BMI of 30 or higher)
BMI = Body weight (kg) ÷ height (m) ÷height (m) *Guideline for BMI of 30: height of 170cm and weight of 87kg, height of 160cm and weight of 77kg
 
The vaccine race is heating up among municipalities in Tokyo. In the latest schedule of Setagaya, they will send the vaccine coupons to

60-64 yo - June 15
50-59 yo - June 30
40-49 yo - in the week of July 5
30-39 yo - in the week of July 12
16-29 yo - in the week of July 20

It's surprising to see this development because initially Setagaya was notoriously late in their processing the vaccination program.

But I guess many of you are getting your shot at your corporate health facilities.in coming weeks.

Probably 50% of the residents in Japan will be vaccinated at least one shot by the end of August and 20 to 30% will be fully vaccinated. That's enough to see "near normal" on the ground.

Japan seems to be adopting the same kind of digital vaccine certificate as EU and probably they will let in fully vaccinated EU citizens this autumn. I'm sort of pessimistic about the US because DHS looks not so keen about the idea of vaccine passports.
 
The vaccine race is heating up among municipalities in Tokyo. In the latest schedule of Setagaya, they will send the vaccine coupons to

60-64 yo - June 15
50-59 yo - June 30
40-49 yo - in the week of July 5
30-39 yo - in the week of July 12
16-29 yo - in the week of July 20

It's surprising to see this development because initially Setagaya was notoriously late in their processing the vaccination program.

But I guess many of you are getting your shot at your corporate health facilities.in coming weeks.

Probably 50% of the residents in Japan will be vaccinated at least one shot by the end of August and 20 to 30% will be fully vaccinated. That's enough to see "near normal" on the ground.

Japan seems to be adopting the same kind of digital vaccine certificate as EU and probably they will let in fully vaccinated EU citizens this autumn. I'm sort of pessimistic about the US because DHS looks not so keen about the idea of vaccine passports.

thanks for the info!
 
Probably 50% of the residents in Japan will be vaccinated at least one shot by the end of August and 20 to 30% will be fully vaccinated. That's enough to see "near normal" on the ground.

Japan seems to be adopting the same kind of digital vaccine certificate as EU and probably they will let in fully vaccinated EU citizens this autumn. I'm sort of pessimistic about the US because DHS looks not so keen about the idea of vaccine passports.

I hate to play Debbie Downer here, but if the numbers in the U.S. are any indication, you aren't going to see anything near "normal" at the 20-30% fully vaxxed mark. Most states really didn't see any significant drop in infection rates, really, until we approached the 50% fully vaxxed mark. My current location is right around the 55% mark now, hopefully hitting 60% before the end of June, and only in the past two weeks have we really started to see a drastic decline in new infections. Testing positivity rate has now stabilized at under 1%, and the state government is promising to significantly roll-back restrictions once we've hit 60% and almost completely eliminate mandates once we've hit 70%.

Stateside, it's not DHS that's presenting the biggest roadblock to vaccine passports, which I believe the majority of Americans want. Rather, it's idiot fucking anti-vaxx Republicans in Congress and, worse, Republican governors (Desantis) hoping to run for POTUS in 2024, passing laws in their own states banning vaccine passports and being cheered on as folk heroes by FoxNews and other MAGA mouthpieces.

But I wouldn't worry too much about those assholes. In the end, the Biden Admin SEEMS to favor the vaccine passports, and the federal government is free to launch its own nationwide database and registry and issue its own forms of passports available to all citizens, and I'm sure the U.S. could then coordinate with other nations, like Japan, on a system of reciprocity. If fucking morons like Desantis want to ban the use of that database in Florida, by all means, please do. All that means is no Florida residents will be able to enter Japan, and believe me, that is a VERY, VERY GOOD THING.

Any state that elects idiot anti-vaxx, anti-mask MAGA sycophants who want to ban vaccine passports...you really, really don't want those voters coming to your town.
 
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I hate to play Debbie Downer here, but if the numbers in the U.S. are any indication, you aren't going to see anything near "normal" at the 20-30% fully vaxxed mark. Most states really didn't see any significant drop in infection rates, really, until we approached the 50% fully vaxxed mark. My current location is right around the 55% mark now, hopefully hitting 60% before the end of June, and only in the past two weeks have we really started to see a drastic decline in new infections. Testing positivity rate has now stabilized at under 1%, and the state government is promising to significantly roll-back restrictions once we've hit 60% and almost completely eliminate mandates once we've hit 70%.

Stateside, it's not DHS that's presenting the biggest roadblock to vaccine passports, which I believe the majority of Americans want. Rather, it's idiot fucking anti-vaxx Republicans in Congress and, worse, Republican governors (Desantis) hoping to run for POTUS in 2024, passing laws in their own states banning vaccine passports and being cheered on as folk heroes by FoxNews and other MAGA mouthpieces.

But I wouldn't worry to much about those assholes. In the end, the Biden Admin SEEMS to favor the vaccine passports, and the federal government is free to launch its own nationwide database and registry and issue its own forms of passports available to all citizens, and I'm sure the U.S. could then coordinate with other nations, like Japan, on a system of reciprocity. If fucking morons like Desantis want to ban the use of that database in Florida, by all means, please do. All that means is no Florida residents will be able to enter Japan, and believe me, that is a VERY, VERY GOOD THING.

Any state that elects idiot anti-vaxx, anti-mask MAGA sycophants who want to ban vaccine passports...you really, really don't want those voters coming to your town.

wait.. granting (or not) a passport is a sovereign privilege, so it should be the federal govt alone who decides, shouldnt it? You don’t have state-issued passports in the US (as far as I know… but the quirks of your system are always a source of surprise so maybe Im wrong)
 
wait.. granting (or not) a passport is a sovereign privilege, so it should be the federal govt alone who decides, shouldnt it? You don’t have state-issued passports in the US (as far as I know… but the quirks of your system are always a source of surprise so maybe Im wrong)

Well, now you're wading into a legal battle that's been argued about since the country was founded. In theory, the states' rights supersede the power of the federal government. However, it often comes down to a battle in state and federal courts. Case in point, instances in states that decriminalized marijuana, where individuals would be arrested by federal agents for violating federal narcotics laws but held in state/municipal prisons awaiting transfer, and then state Attorney General offices ordering those individuals to be released. And then the U.S. Attorney's office and DOJ end up facing off with the State AG and Governor's office...but for simple cases of weed, I think both sides just agree to let it go.

Basically, what assholes like Desantis and the FL legislature did was mostly symbolic. They're "banning" something that doesn't exist yet. But as an example of a recent result, some cruise ship company announced it would require vaccine passports, or proof of vaccination, in order to board the ship; Desantis went on TV proudly announcing that due to the new FL law against vaccine passports/requirements, that company's cruise ships are now banned from docking anywhere in the state of Florida.

Ultimately, what will most likely happen, is that the federal government will, in conjunction with other nations, institute a federal vaccine documentation "passport" system that allows Americans and citizens of partner countries with verified vaccination records travel freely between those partner countries. Florida will "opt out" of this new system, meaning it will symbolically ban all coordination between Florida state government offices and the federal government where the new vaccine passport is involved. Who knows how that stupid fucking idea will play out but, ultimately, the only thing it will do is make it difficult to impossible for Florida residents to take part in the vaccine registry and passport system, making it nearly impossible for Florida residents to travel internationally to participating nations.

Again, this is a very, very good thing. I'd actually pay more taxes to ban Florida residents from visiting my state.
 
Well, now you're wading into a legal battle that's been argued about since the country was founded. In theory, the states' rights supersede the power of the federal government. However, it often comes down to a battle in state and federal courts. Case in point, instances in states that decriminalized marijuana, where individuals would be arrested by federal agents for violating federal narcotics laws but held in state/municipal prisons awaiting transfer, and then state Attorney General offices ordering those individuals to be released. And then the U.S. Attorney's office and DOJ end up facing off with the State AG and Governor's office...but for simple cases of weed, I think both sides just agree to let it go.

Basically, what assholes like Desantis and the FL legislature did was mostly symbolic. They're "banning" something that doesn't exist yet. But as an example of a recent result, some cruise ship company announced it would require vaccine passports, or proof of vaccination, in order to board the ship; Desantis went on TV proudly announcing that due to the new FL law against vaccine passports/requirements, that company's cruise ships are now banned from docking anywhere in the state of Florida.

Ultimately, what will most likely happen, is that the federal government will, in conjunction with other nations, institute a federal vaccine documentation "passport" system that allows Americans and citizens of partner countries with verified vaccination records travel freely between those partner countries. Florida will "opt out" of this new system, meaning it will symbolically ban all coordination between Florida state government offices and the federal government where the new vaccine passport is involved. Who knows how that stupid fucking idea will play out but, ultimately, the only thing it will do is make it difficult to impossible for Florida residents to take part in the vaccine registry and passport system, making it nearly impossible for Florida residents to travel internationally to participating nations.

Again, this is a very, very good thing. I'd actually pay more taxes to ban Florida residents from visiting my state.

i agree with the last point
But when it comes to passports something those MAGA-men should understand is that OTHER countries’ acceptance is what makes them valuable.
So Japan and the EU accept holders of US passports. Not holders of a non-sovereign like the Stupido Republic of Florida’s passports or whatever it would be called if DeSantis decides some day to issue his own. It could be wonderfully gold plated or with alligator skin , if other countries don’t accept it well it’s as good as a McLovin ID card to buy booze in the local liquor shop
 
I'm glad to say that there's nothing on my bucket list on places that I'd need to use my passport to visit.
 
I might have had few too many lunch beers but you guys do realize "vaccine passport" is not really a passport but proof of vaccination, right?

So there is no need for them to be issued by the governments. It could be anybody, IATA, WHO or IBM.

Whatever as long as it takes me to Philippines. I bet there are lots of sick buffaloes that need my help.
 
I might have had few too many lunch beers but you guys do realize "vaccine passport" is not really a passport but proof of vaccination, right?

So there is no need for them to be issued by the governments. It could be anybody, IATA, WHO or IBM.

Whatever as long as it takes me to Philippines. I bet there are lots of sick buffaloes that need my help.

I was in the middle of typing a response just like this. The "vaccine passport" that the U.S. is talking about doesn't mean an actual, U.S. Government State Department-issued passport, but merely an I.D. card of sorts (at least as I understand it), likely utilizing a QR code, that documents your vaccination status/record and is registered in a federal database. In theory, access to this database would be shared among participating nations, so upon embarking/disembarking you could just swipe/scan this new ID card and be permitted entry through customs or whatever official point of entry you've arrived at.

I highly, highly doubt the feds are going to actually begin documenting your vaccination status in your actual U.S. Passport. That'd be problematic on far too many levels. But again, like I said, if states like Florida want to ban participation in this new proof-of-vaxx ID system, by all means, let them do it. Floridians are some of the dumbest, most bigoted, most classless shitkicking morons our country has managed to produce. And the worst part is, they're proud of it. Ban them, ban them all!
 
I might have had few too many lunch beers but you guys do realize "vaccine passport" is not really a passport but proof of vaccination, right?

So there is no need for them to be issued by the governments. It could be anybody, IATA, WHO or IBM.

Whatever as long as it takes me to Philippines. I bet there are lots of sick buffaloes that need my help.

you’re right . Somehow I assumed it would be an extra piece of data put in the biometric passport

dumb, dumb frenchy !
 


I just recently flew through Narita on my way back to New Jersey, USA and here are pictures and video of the airport. The terminal was so empty. This was around 3pm or so, and anyone that travels through Narita in the before times, knows the terminal is bustling at that time. A lot of shops were closed (missed my usual Ebi Filet-O from McDonalds which was closed). You can also see in the video all the empty gates. Fastest taxi to park and take off at Narita ever this trip. Also on flight between Narita and Newark both ways were like 20 - 30 passengers in a Boeing 787.
 
I’m not one of those foreign residents who always put the blame on other foreigners, many crimes committed by Japanese are swept under the rug, there has been cases of many locals who were caught partying in large groups when they shouldn’t be, but one thing has been essential to coronavirus measure since the beginning: Universal masking.
Masks have not become a cultural war like in America here in Japan. Face covering is nothing new here, it’s a cultural affinity, so when the virus arrived people did what they normally do and put a mask on. It’s very rare to see an anti masker on the streets, public transport, even “chin maskers” or “dick noses” are uncommon.
I’m sure some of the tourists will follow the rules, but just yesterday I talked to a Japanese friend (Works in the service industry) who was upset that she had to send away a regular customer because the customer threw a fit about putting on a mask in her shop. The woman was a.. *drumroll* foreigner.. My friend was very upset that she lost a customer and a fraction of her earnings because of the irresponsible behavior of this woman.

Personally I don’t see the point of refusing to wear a mask. I truly enjoy the anonymity, it’s hygienic to wear a mask when getting a manicure etc, sometimes I just put my skincare on and I don’t even have to wear lipstick or concealer to get groceries. And now there are colorful masks to match with my outfits. It’s only uncomfortable while working out during the humid months in Japan.
I dont *want* to jump in that bandwagon either but fuck…..
shibuya a couple weeks ago on takeshita dori, everyone wearing masks normally apart from the group of white guys (im guessing from the olympics) stood in the middle of the bust street setting up a fucking camera tripod. Two had no mask, one had it as a chin strap.
Then a couple days ago i was in akihabara. Counted 20-30 foreigners *with their olympic lanyards on* walking around most had masks but most not worn properly or taking them off for photos.
Kind of pissed me off.
 
I dont *want* to jump in that bandwagon either but fuck…..
shibuya a couple weeks ago on takeshita dori, everyone wearing masks normally apart from the group of white guys (im guessing from the olympics) stood in the middle of the bust street setting up a fucking camera tripod. Two had no mask, one had it as a chin strap.
Then a couple days ago i was in akihabara. Counted 20-30 foreigners *with their olympic lanyards on* walking around most had masks but most not worn properly or taking them off for photos.
Kind of pissed me off.

For some reason it’s the complete opposite around where I am. I mainly see chin-maskers, nose-dicks or not wearing a mask on Japanese people. All other foreigners I’ve seen in my area (there aren’t that many to begin with) are wearing their mask accordingly. It’s really disgusting how many people I see on the train remove their masks, poke inside their noses or do other shit without it…. :yuck:
 
It seems that Japan is opening up for all valid visa holders next month, which will bring back the entry restrictions to those before January this year. An industry organization's "roadmap" suggests that tourists may enter Japan in December. If you are fully vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna or AZ, you may want to plan for your winter travel to Japan. However, I don't think they will lift the quarantine requirements anytime soon. At best, you still have to quarantine yourself upon entry for a shortened period from the current 14 days.

tableab.png
 
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you may want to plan for your winter travel to Japan.

Might be better to target the winter of 2022 though. It seems that this paper is just a proposal from the JATA and already from end of July. It shows the Business Tract restarting from September and this far nothing has happened with that.

The only new proposals I have heard are reducing the 14 day quarantine to 10 days and possible doing the vaccination passport thingie. Before we get any visitors here lots of faxes have to be send and new hanko ink needs to be purchased.

I have told every business traveller eager to come over to prepare it happens in February-March time frame next year. If anything happens sooner I will be absolutely flabbergasted. Happy but still flabbergasted.