Asia Pacific Jan 18, 2021
Thailand sold itself as a paradise pandemic retreat. No one came.
by Randy Thanthong-Knight
The economy is estimated to have contracted 6% in 2020, the biggest decline since the Asian financial crisis.
Business Jan 13, 2021
Nagano Prefecture, home to many spa and ski resorts, saw the most hotel closures with 12, followed by Tokyo with 11.
Lifestyle Jan 10, 2021
Travel to Kamikatsu for a green epiphany: ‘Zero waste is about knowing yourself’
by Florentyna Leow
The INOW program allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in Kamikatsu’s renowned zero-waste lifestyle.
National Jan 9, 2021
International air passengers at Japan airports dive 97% over holidays
Japan has maintained a ban on entries of foreign tourists, though it recently relaxed rules for business travelers and students from some Asian nations, including China and South Korea.
National Jan 3, 2021
Japanese cities aim to lure tourists with cultural assets once virus subsides
The Tennozu area in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward and the city of Sakai in Osaka Prefecture are beefing up preparations in the hopes of a tourism rebound in a post-pandemic world.
National Dec 31, 2020
Travelers from Japan face more restrictions amid new virus strain fears
by Magdalena Osumi
At least 73 countries are tightening their border control measures for travelers from Japan, where cases of the mutated virus have been detected.
National Dec 29, 2020
The year-end and New Year's holiday period, which is normally the busiest season for the tourism industry, is now unprecedentedly quiet.
National Dec 28, 2020
Japan halts new entries from around world over coronavirus variant
Also on Monday, the government suspended its Go To Travel tourism promotion campaign through Jan. 11.
National Dec 27, 2020
Japan developing tracking system for travelers from overseas
Takuya Hirai, digital transformation minister, said on a TV program that he'd like to make it mandatory for people entering the country.
National Dec 27, 2020
Japan to halt new entry of foreign nationals over new virus strain
by Eric Johnston
The new directive means most nonresident foreign nationals will not be able to enter the country from Monday until the end of January.
National Dec 25, 2020
Suga urges caution over New Year's break as COVID-19 cases keep rising
by Ryusei Takahashi
Officials say the surge in new infections is already affecting local health care systems and overwhelming hospitals at a time of the year when staffing is limited.
Business | Regional voices: Chubu Dec 25, 2020
The government's Go To Travel subsidy campaign offers only temporary aid for hotels that had difficulty attracting domestic visitors even before the pandemic.