Japan reopens to tourists after two years, but with strict COVID rules including masks, chaperones

Japan has released a new set of guidelines for tourists as it gradually opens its borders to visitors as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes. The country's government announced Tuesday that tourists will be required to wear masks, take out private medical insurance and be chaperoned through their stay in the country.

During the initial reopening phase, only visitors who are part of package tours will be permitted to visit.

"Tour guides should frequently remind tour participants of necessary infection prevention measures, including wearing and removing masks, at each stage of the tour," the Japanese Tourism Agency said. "Even outdoors, the wearing of masks should continue in situations where people are conversing in close proximity."

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said he will strive to bring Japanese border measures better into line with those of other developed nations. Throughout the pandemic, Japan has maintained some of the strictest border controls on the planet and is only now beginning to ease them.

Prior to the pandemic, the 2019 Japanese tourist industry brought in more than $36 billion. Now, some travel agents say that the idea of having to wear a mask at all times, indoors and outdoors, may be prohibitively irksome to some potential visitors, and the cost of having a 24/7 guide may also deter some guests.