Japan may extend tough virus border restrictions | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

The question is rather, what is their endgame strategy? If they open in spring 2023, what are they doing when a new variant comes around in summer? We will see new variants for the next few years until the virus will eventually become endemic. Sure, Japan could get rid of its inbound tourism sector and permanently ban tourists without losing too much on the GDP side.

But how long will foreign universities accept the fact that they get new Japanese incoming students every year without being able to send their own students to Japan? Personally, I would like to see how long Japan would keep the exchange student ban if the US and EU umbrella banned Japanese students as well. My alma mater is already planning on cancelling all the exchange partnerships they have with Japanese universities next year.

How keen will foreign companies be in establishing businesses or joint-ventures in Japan when they cannot send delegations or expatriate staff? Or the reverse case. I heard of Japanese business travellers and ironically tourists shitting their pants as they heard that the government is telling airlines to stop accepting inbound flight reservations due to Omicron, which would leave many stranded abroad.

/r/japan Thread Parent Link - 3.nhk.or.jp