Three Years of Lockdown and the Reopening of Borders
Mask off In Japan.
3 years ago, the world went into a shutdown due to Covid-19. Recently, Japan reopened its borders to tourists after being locked down for the same period. The pandemic significantly impacted Japan’s economy, which heavily relies on tourism. This article will delve into Japan’s journey during the pandemic and the events that led to the reopening of borders and the much-awaited Mask off In Japan.
National Emergency
In March of 2020, Japan declared the outbreak a national emergency, causing all schools and many small to midsize businesses to shut down. The government offered emergency package loans, including a stimulus package of 100,000 yen, or $750, directly wired to the bank accounts of residents in need to aid those financially affected by the lockdown.
Impact on Tokyo Nightlife
The closure of bars and restaurants in Tokyo after 8 pm turned the city into a ghost town, leaving heavy drinkers without their favorite pastime. The sight of salarymen passed out on the streets of Shibuya after a night of non-stop drinking following a 12-14 hour work shift was no longer common.. Consequently, many people began buying their alcohol online from Amazon and drinking at home.
Although some clubs were still open to a certain extent, Tokyo nightlife was completely dead, and many clubs/bars didn’t make it throughout the pandemic. Many small bars and restaurants not only lost a lot of business but also took a financial hit from investing in equipment to prevent the spread of the virus. Salarymen in Tokyo may no longer feel obliged to go out drinking with their bosses after work as they now work remotely from home, possibly affecting the city’s nightlife culture in the long term.
A Historic Era
During the pandemic, Japan, known for its lively culture and popular tourist destinations, took on a nostalgic atmosphere resembling a historic era where foreigners were scarce. Think of the set of Blade Runner, but without cast or extras. The Covid-19 restrictions sucked out a lot of the fun in Tokyo and Japan as many activities for young adults came to an instant halt.
Gradual Lifting of Restrictions
As Japan battled with the pandemic, restrictions were gradually lifted, and the country started to reopen. In May 2021, the government announced that the state of emergency would be lifted in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Okinawa, and other areas would follow. In September 2021, Japan lifted its travel ban on 10 countries, including Singapore, China, and Taiwan, allowing businesspeople and international students to enter Japan.
Reopening of Borders ? Mask Off ?
During the pandemic, hotspots in Tokyo that are usually filled with tourists became less crowded due to the absence of travelers. This created a unique opportunity for foreigners living in Tokyo, who experienced a nostalgic era reminiscent of the early ’90s, when there were fewer foreigners and the English language was not as widely spoken. The less crowded streets of Tokyo also brought a sense of calmness, creating a serene environment for those who experienced it.
Kyoto: A City of Zen and Calmness
Let’s take a break from discussing Tokyo and explore another famous Japanese city: Kyoto. Known for its traditional shrines, temples, and castles, Kyoto offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere that contrasts the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s neon-lit streets. Despite being a popular tourist destination, Kyoto’s intention is to provide a place of escape from the chaos of big cities. However, during the pandemic, the absence of tourists transformed Kyoto into a quiet and calm town, returning to its roots of zen and stillness. This allowed visitors to experience a glimpse of the city’s ancient history and culture, similar to what it was like when it served as the capital city years ago.
The Olympic Games
The Tokyo Olympic Games, undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated events globally, draws in millions of spectators and athletes every four years. However, the 2020 edition was unlike any other due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the International Olympic Committee to postpone the games to 2021, resulting in the most controversial and unusual Olympic Games in history.
This article explores the controversies surrounding the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and their impact on the host country, the athletes, and the global community.
The Cost of Hosting the Tokyo Olympic Games
Hosting the Olympic Games has always been an expensive venture, but the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo were the most expensive ever, with a total spending of $20 billion. The city built significant infrastructure, including the Japan National Stadium, Tokyo Aquatics Center, The Musashino Forest Sport Plaza, Ariake Arena, and the Oi Hockey Stadium.
However, the decision to postpone the games to 2021 due to Covid-19 concerns added additional costs. These included the maintenance of the newly built infrastructure and compensation for those who had already booked their travel arrangements for the original dates of the games.
Calls for Cancellation
As the pandemic worsened, calls for the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympic Games grew louder. Health experts and advocates warned of the potential health risks associated with holding a major international event during a pandemic. Protests expanded throughout the city, and more petitions were signed to cancel the games as many residents believed that government officials were prioritizing economic concerns over the health and well-being of the Japanese people.
Despite the protests and signed petitions, cancelling the Olympic Games would have cost the country over $40 billion, which was a strong case for the decision to postpone the games.
Changes Made to the Games
The games finally took place in 2021, but not without significant changes. They made the decision to remove the audience from the spectacle, leaving the athletes to perform in silence without the energy from the crowd.The organizers subjected the athletes to strict supervision, requiring them to take multiple Covid tests throughout the games and restricting them to stay within the Olympic village. As a result, they missed out on exploring one of the most unique cities in the world.
Despite the controversy surrounding the decision to hold the games, they went on as scheduled. However, the lack of an audience resulted in a less engaging and exciting experience for both the athletes and spectators. Additionally, the Covid-19 situation worsened during the games, with a record high of over 60,000 cases in one day, which likely slowed down Japan’s process of opening its borders.
The Impact of the Tokyo Olympic Games
The Tokyo Olympic Games had a significant impact on the host country, the athletes, and the global community. On the one hand, the games provided economic benefits for Japan, including job creation, increased tourism, and infrastructure development. The athletes who competed in the games also had the opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage and represent their countries.
On the other hand, the decision to hold the games during a pandemic also had negative consequences. The lack of an audience resulted in a less engaging and exciting experience for both the athletes and spectators. Additionally, the games likely contributed to the worsening of the Covid-19 situation in Japan.
In conclusion, the decision to hold the Olympic Games during a pandemic was undoubtedly controversial. The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics was necessary to ensure the safety of athletes, staff, and travelers. However, holding the games without an audience was met with protests and concerns over potential consequences. Nonetheless, the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games went on as scheduled, providing both economic benefits and negative consequences for the host country, the athletes, and the global community.
Study From Home, Not Abroad.
The only way to keep your mask off was to stay at home, As Covid-19 cases surged in Japan, the country remained closed to the outside world while other countries began to open up for tourism. This left many travelers, particularly those interested in Japanese pop culture, uncertain about when they could visit. Approximately 147,000 international students were also unable to enter Japan, with no updates on when they could return.
Japan Reopens! Mask Off
During the pandemic, many countries eased their border restrictions, and as airline tickets became more affordable and took there Mask off, travelers took advantage of the opportunity. However, Japan remained closed to tourists, causing a surge in demand for Japan travel content on social media platforms. Content creators made videos about lesser-known local spots, such as restaurants, bars, and shopping centers, during the lockdown. As outsiders could only experience Japan through their phones, they lived vicariously through resident content creators. Although Japan travel content creators had an amazing run, Prime Minister Kishida announced in September 2022 that Japan would finally open its borders to tourists a month later.
Reopens Border
On September 22, 2022, Japan announced that it would finally open its borders to visa-free travelers after nearly three years of COVID restrictions and closed borders but no Mask off. Prime Minister Kishida made the announcement, stating his desire to support the entertainment, travel, and other industries that suffered economically from the pandemic. JAL and ANA airlines supported the decision to open Japan’s borders after a prolonged closure. The decline of the yen also incentivized potential tourists with favorable exchange rates upon arrival. However, many things in Japan have changed since the borders opened, so if you have traveled here before, you might notice some differences, Japan then started to work on letting the population taking there Mask Off.
How Has Covid Changed Japan?
One of the most significant recent changes that Japan has made is the more common use of cashless payments. Although Japan has an image in the world as a highly advanced society with the most updated use of technology, contrary to popular belief, it’s very archaic.
Shinkansen travel rules have changed, and now passengers can only bring large suitcases onboard with a reservation. This might be a problem for large travelers; however, there’s no need to worry as using a service like Yamato transport can help send your luggage across the country within 1-2 business days.
Forever Changed ?
Smoking is now banned in all restaurants in Japan, which is a significant change. This country has many unique qualities in its society that differ from what is common in the west. Before the pandemic, one of those differences was the freedom to smoke openly in restaurants. Many smokers worldwide would be surprised by this, as they may not have considered the possibility. However, there is now an end to this, and only small bars and cafes that seat less than 15 people can make the decision whether they allow smoking in their establishment.
Last but not least, a concern that most travelers don’t have to worry about in their own country, but it might be on the back of their mind before coming to Japan, is the mask mandate and whether there is any. Wearing a mask isn’t necessarily required in public. However, since Japan has always been a strong mask-wearing society even before the pandemic, you’ll still find many people on the street still wearing them. That being said, if you’re not too inclined to wear a mask, there’s no need to worry as it is not required to wear one. However, you might stand out on public transportation without it. Starting from March 13th, the Japanese government is allowing all businesses and citizens to not have to wear a mask. Therefore, if you travel here after that date, you may see more Japanese people on the street with bare faces.
Make Japan Normal Again!
Mask Off in Japan!
Mask off in Japan. To wrap this up, the last three years have been an unprecedented time for both residents and travelers in Japan. Residents experienced a glimpse of what a more silent country without tourists would look like. Tourists eagerly awaited the opportunity to revisit a land that had been closed off to them for a long time.. And for first-time travelers, a virtual experience through the lens of Japan’s content creators, providing a point of view of what a walk down a park or street in Tokyo would look like. Now, for all parties involved, we can finally take a deep breath and relax as our favorite place in the world is finally accessible, and waiting for us to reunite so take your mask off and enjoy.
it is important to recognize that wearing masks in Japan has been a common practice long before the COVID-19 pandemic
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Tags: Japan, pandemic, lockdown, tourism, nightlife, economy, Tokyo, Kyoto, Olympic Games, border reopening, mask off, smoking ban, cashless payments, Shinkansen, travel rules, mask mandate.
