In today’s video we will look at how Japan’s government is seemingly taking a different
approach to previous waves amidst a surge in cases and how the government’s actions
could be a positive thing moving forward.
We will also explore the embarrassing problem with group tourism, the numbers of entries
into the country will surely shock you so make sure you watch all the way to the end!
Hi!
I’m Nathan and welcome back to Ninja monkey.
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I wanted to start off with some positivity.
And yes, I know it’s not all sunshine and roses as we are still in this situation where
Japan remains closed to independent travellers, but as Japan battles its 7th wave of infections
its increasingly positive to see that the Japanese government is still not considering
restricting people’s movement, something that I hope will continue.
It’s clear that as numbers skyrocket the Japanese government is taking a different
approach to previous waves, something that I find very positive.
But like I always remind you, I’m only here to provide the readily available information
so that YOU can make your own decisions and get a clearer picture of the situation.
Now more than ever case numbers are of utmost importance as we wait for numbers to start
falling and hope for some sort of news soon after.
On that note, let’s start off by getting into the nitty gritty as we wait for things
to peak.
As from July 22nd, 62.4% of the population have now received their third dose.
And crusially for Japan’s aging population 90.2% of those aged 65 years or older have
now received their booster shots too.
In fact 6,462,619 (4th) doses have also been administered that’s over an additional 3
million doses compared to the last update.
And importantly 14.6% of those aged 65 or over have now received their 4th shot too.
Tokyo’s hospital occupancy now stands at 44.7% of standard covid beds in use.
This is a 10% increase on last week’s update.
And, in terms of severe patients there are 75 in the capital, equalling to 17.9% of the
420 beds set aside for these patients in Tokyo.
Thirty additional severe patients compared to last week’s update.
Team, Numbers are indeed peaking and the government still expects them to climb.
Japan's cases reached a new record high on Friday, exceeding 190,000 cases Nationwide,
and Tokyo confirmed a record 34,995 new cases too.
Infact, Tokyo has been reaching figures above 30,000 for two days in a row now.
As a result, the metropolitan government will increase the number of medical institutions
that can conduct tests and treat patients on weekends by providing subsidies.
"Vaccinations, ventilation and face masks.
With the three keywords, I ask Tokyo residents to take infection prevention measures,"
Tokyo’s Governor Yuriko Koike said at a meeting.
Currently the Japanese government is not implementing measures that would restrict the movement
of people and is instead calling for the “highest level of vigilance” and urging people to
exercise caution out of fears that this wave could put pressure on Japan’s health services.
Tokyo’s Governor also vowed to strengthen coordination with hospitals and medical staff,
saying,
“We will ask recovered patients to leave the hospital as soon as possible” to make
room for new patients.
And Team, if those unnecessarily using hospital beds can be shifted along, then this will
hopefully not only mean more available resources but also a reduction in the hospitalisation
statistics everyone is so fixated on.
And although there are currently no movement restrictions in place.
It’s important to note that some places like Okinawa have started putting their own
measures in places.
Such as asking people not to go out or meet high-risk individuals if they have any symptoms.
Or dine out in groups of four or less people and spend no more than two hours at a restaurant.
Therefore, it will be interesting if other areas in Japan follow suit.
Additionally, in what could in my opinion be huge news and a hopefully an indicator
of further positive and forward-thinking moves in line with how other countries initially
responded to Covid.
The Japanese government is shortening self-quarantine times for close contacts from the current
seven days to five days, and this can be further shortened to three days if a close contact
tests negative on both the second and third day.
“This is not aimed at easing restrictions,” “We are shortening the period because keeping
them (at home for long) doesn’t make scientific sense.”
said Goto.
Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
So, Team, although cases are rising would you agree with me that the way that the government
is seemingly treating this wave is less reactionary and less restrictive?
Obviously, their stance could change but I do have high hopes for this new approach.
Shortening close contacts and talking about “scientific sense” are all in my opinion
very positive indicators and perhaps some steps towards trying to live with the virus
and keep business going.
What are your thoughts here?
I’d love to read them in the comment section.
Had this been pre-election maybe more swift reactionary people pleasing policies would
have been put in place.
Like I mentioned earlier, I do hope that these small steps will lead to further forward thinking
moves that are in line with other countries world-wide who are also experiencing waves
but have kept their borders open without discrimination of who enters.
Team, just a quick side note before we look into what could potentially demonstrate just
how difficult entering Japan as a tourist in one of the guided tours actually is, and
just how un popular these tours are.
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Anyway lets get back to the nitty-gritty..
So let’s talk about tourism.
120,400 foreign visitors entered Japan in June, that’s more than 10 times the number
compared to 2021 but still a huge 95.8% less than pre pandemic levels!
Japan limits the number of foreigners able to enter the country to 20,000 daily entries
and according to the Japan National Tourism Organization: the largest number of arrivals
came from Vietnam which saw 22,900 entries, followed by China with 14,700, South Korea
11,200 and the United States at 9,700 entries, with most arrivals likely to be technical
interns, businesspeople, or international students.
And how many tourists actually entered Japan since the “reopening for group tourists”
on June 10th?
In the month of June you might ask yourself.
252 tourists.
Wait..
Yes you have heard correctly 252 .. No, I’m not missing any zero’s and no, this is not
a joke, and no, you have not misheard or misread… but an embarrassing 252 tourists entered the
country in the month of June, according to the JNTO.
However, A further 14,580 have applied to enter the country in July or later.
And it’s not clear what “later means”.
But its not clear what later actually means, could it be all the way to the end of the
year?
I don’t know.
Now, this is the problem.
Firstly, it’s obvious that tourists are just not too keen on going on a guided tour
which might potentially be very limiting.
We’ve discussed this before and I’d once again love to know if you would be happy to
go on one of these tour groups down in the comment section.
Secondly, finding a tour group isn’t really the main problem however the time and effort
it takes to organise the necessary paperwork needed for entry is likely very off putting
for any potential traveller.
When reaching out to a tour operator for a potential trip in August this was part of
their email reply:
“The complicated part is securing your visa.
This requires an in person appointment at your local Japanese embassy.
Once you’ve had your application appointment you then need to make a second appointment
to collect the visa which usually takes 5 days to process but could be up to 2 weeks.
There is currently very high demand for appointments so we are estimating you will probably need
at least 5 weeks just to get the visa.
It will depend on your local embassy but I would be concerned about whether you would
be able to arrange your visa appointments and collect the visa in time for the tour.”
So, this has got me thinking, does Japan even want tourists to enter the country?
I mean yes, we are all very well aware that independent tourism is a no go for now.
But why allow strict guided tours that require you to to be fully escorted for the entirety
of your time in Japan, meaning the same tour guide must accompany you all day, every day
of your trip, to every destination.
And then make the process for entry so time consuming and difficult that it will likely
put anyone off.
The fact that only 252 tourists entered the country in June demonstrates just what a failure
this group tourism initiative is.
Don’t get me wrong I think there is a time and place for group tours, I myself have been
on one and wouldn’t necessarily say no to another one in the future, but if this is
to succeed then big changes need to be made to the entry process.
Tourism is certainly one of the last priorities the Japanese government has, this is something
that I have continuously repeated.
I am still hopeful that Japan will reopen before the end of the year and I do think
that the fact that this 7th wave has happened at a time where few foreigners have entered
the country and the borders have remained closed, coupled with the government’s recent
change in policy mainly reducing close contact isolation and not limiting movement could
actually be the precursors to what is hopefully positive news for tourists sometime soon.
Unfortunately, I do think that we do however need this wave to subside.
Therefore, we must continue looking at case numbers especially hospitalisations for now.
I look forward to reading your thoughts and questions in the comment an section and hopefully
seeing you in the chat section of a future live stream where we not only discuss Japan’s
border situation but also talk about Japan related topics too!
So, if you do see a scheduled stream, make sure you click the ‘Notify me button’
so that you can join in without forgetting!
Anyway Team, if you’ve watched all the way to the end prove it by including a 🍡 dango
Emoji to prove it!!
(I’m really enjoying placing this eastereggs and searching to see them in the comment section!
Stay positive team!
(but covid negative).
I might not have all the answers but hopefully you’re a little more informed!
Till next time, Arigatou, gracias, thanks bye!