[2022, for Japanese nationals] Things you should prepare when traveling/going on a business trip abroad from Japan.

Hello, I'm OKD from METRONOME-Tokyo Online, the official Japanese online store for METRONOME DESIGN INC., which sells METRONOME®, an eyeglasses and sunglasses brand founded in London.

Introduction

This blog is usually about "eyeglasses/sunglasses brands," but this time I'm going to write about something a little different. As the title suggests, I'd like to write about what it's like to enter and leave Japan from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on my own experiences.

As a brand that trades both domestically and internationally, METRONOME actively participates in overseas exhibitions. In 2021, we participated in SILMO PARIS 2021, an international exhibition held in Paris, France. In 2022, although it was postponed due to COVID-19, we participated in MIDO 2022, an international exhibition held in Milan, Italy in May.

Of course, overseas travel will be considered a business trip and will require certain requirements to be met. Freedom of movement is slowly but surely recovering in 2021 and 2022.

In terms of international relations, Japan is finally moving towards accepting foreign tourists. There is already business travel between the two countries, but it is still far less than before COVID-19.

Japanese people can travel abroad and enter the country only if they clear the rather difficult requirement of undergoing a PCR test at their country of origin and obtaining a negative test certificate.

By the way, an increasing number of countries are now allowing entry for both tourism and business. Vaccination or a negative PCR test before entry is required, but apart from that, it seems like things are pretty much back to how they were before COVID-19.

Departing Japan ~ Entering overseas

First, let's talk about leaving Japan, not escaping. First, the preparations you need to make in Japan will vary depending on your destination. For example, in Asia, you may be required to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to entry.

On the other hand, in some European countries, entry is generally permitted if you have proof that you have received two or three doses of the coronavirus vaccine. (Note: In some countries, such as France, you will need to obtain a pass in advance to be able to freely enter restaurants and other establishments after entering the country.)

There are also various other options, such as being able to enter the country with either a negative test result or vaccination certificate. In any case, business people who need to travel abroad in the near future are recommended to get the COVID-19 vaccine in advance while they are in Japan, as whether or not they have received the vaccine may affect their freedom of movement in the local area.

Depending on your destination, you may be required to provide information about your accommodation and obtain a local Green Pass (a local vaccination or negative test certificate that you will be required to present when entering public facilities, etc.).

It is essential to check the websites of relevant ministries and agencies and the local Japanese embassy in advance.

Another thing that will affect your entry into Japan, and that you should make arrangements for in advance, is to make a reservation for a PCR test for your return home. As mentioned in the introduction, as of May 2022, proof of a negative PCR test taken before departure is required when entering Japan, regardless of nationality.

If you do not have this, you may not be able to board a flight to Japan. Of course, if you test positive, you will not be able to return home. You will have to recuperate locally until you recover.

It seems that there is insurance to cover such unforeseen circumstances. However, because of the possibility of being unable to return home, even if people have a long vacation, they are unlikely to travel abroad. In fact, it seems that there were few Japanese tourists in Hawaii, a famous tourist destination during Golden Week.

I saw this on a variety show, but apparently there were people who tested positive just before returning home and were unable to do so. In fact, I know someone like that. Even if you are physically healthy, or even if you test positive without symptoms, you are still unable to return home. Therefore, your return to Japan is not guaranteed until the PCR test results are available, which can be quite a psychological burden.

Situation during stay in the country (France and Italy)

Now, let's move on to the local section. This time, I would like to write based on my experiences traveling to France in 2021 and Italy in 2022.

First of all, the conclusion is that in both countries, "if you have proof of vaccination, you can basically move freely." This was the case in France as of September 2021. By the way, if you go into more detail, in France, you had to request proof of vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test result locally from local authorities and receive a "QR pass for travel."

As long as you have been vaccinated and have the vaccination certificate, you can freely enter restaurants, tourist facilities, etc.

I traveled to Italy in May 2022 (right around the Golden Week period), and as the taxi driver said, "Corona Finish," I saw many people without masks.

It seems that wearing masks remains the rule at airports, exhibition halls, restaurants, etc., but it felt like the country is moving much further towards a post-coronavirus era than Japan.

According to a person living in London, wearing masks is no longer mandatory and there is a feeling that the coronavirus pandemic is completely over. Seat dividers, which are still seen in Japanese restaurants, have also disappeared.

While Europe is quickly lifting its COVID-19 restrictions, many Asian countries, including Japan and China, have imposed strict restrictions on foreigners entering the country. Japan is strict, but I've heard that China also has very high entry barriers.

According to an IT professional working in China, travelers are required to take multiple PCR tests upon entering the country (in Japan, only proof of a negative test before returning home is required).

Although policies still vary from country to country, I feel that the situation is gradually improving.

Returning to Japan (the hardest part!)

Now, let's move on to the return home section. As I mentioned earlier, this is the most difficult part of traveling abroad and returning home. As I mentioned in the advance preparation section, in order to enter Japan, regardless of nationality, you will need proof of a negative PCR test taken in the country of origin.

The test must be taken within 72 hours before boarding the flight at the destination; any test taken earlier may be invalid due to time limitations.

Since the test needs to be taken locally, you will naturally need to go to a local clinic or testing site. In France, the embassy published a list of testing sites, so it was relatively easy to find, but in Italy, the information was not as detailed as that of the Japanese embassy in France, so it was quite difficult to find.

The reason it is so difficult is that Japan requires that test results be submitted in a format specified by Japan. In other words, there is a format specified by Japan, and you need to talk to the local clinic or testing facility to have the test certificate issued in accordance with that format.

Regarding these test results, it has been suggested that it may be possible to enter the country even if the results are not in Japanese format, but basically it is necessary to obtain the test results in Japanese format (paper or digital).

First of all, it was difficult to find a testing site near a hotel or other location, and then to find a testing period that met two requirements: they would fill out the required form. This was the most difficult part.

From my own experience, I would first look for a local testing site and contact a clinic before leaving the country to inquire about whether or not the test would be available. This would be a major problem if I showed up on the day and was told that I needed to make a reservation, or that the test results could not be filled out in a Japanese-style form.

In France, there are many institutions where you can get tested without making an appointment, so even though the institution was a little far from the center, I was able to take the test without any problems and have the documents prepared for me.

In Italy, the hurdles were even higher. First of all, we had to start from a situation where we didn't know how many testing institutions there were. Since I didn't understand Italian, I checked each website while translating, made a list of several testing institutions, and contacted each of them by email.

Fortunately, there was an institution that accepted advance reservations in English, and I was able to confirm the test date without any problems. The reason why the test date is important is that, as mentioned above, only test results taken within 72 hours before departure from the local country are valid for entry into Japan.

If you take the test too early, it will also be a no-no.

Heading to Japan! ~ Immigration after landing

Now that I have successfully obtained a negative test result, I can return home with confidence. The situation on the plane and at the airport I transited through hasn't changed much since before COVID-19. There were more opportunities for disinfection, and it seemed like document checks were taking a little longer than usual, but generally there were no problems.

After landing in Japan, you will be tested at the airport while presenting the negative certificate you obtained locally. If you test negative, you will be able to return to Japan.

By the way, if a person on the plane you are on tests positive, people on the same flight may be quarantined. Please check for updates on this from time to time.

As of 2022, there is no longer a requirement for self-isolation at home after entering the country. If you test negative, you are generally free to move around freely. In this way, restrictions on movement are gradually being lifted, and with the exception of PCR tests before returning home, the hurdles to returning home are gradually disappearing.

It's not completely over yet, so I think I'll just have to continue being careful and survive!

Well then

OKD