Covid-19 information: Japan
Latest News: Requirements for visitors from multiple countries tightened amid COVID-19 concerns (The Mainichi, 29.04.2021).
International Restrictions:
*Entry to Japan: Foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan for work or study but do not have existing resident status and who have visited the UK or this list of countries in the past 14 days are currently not permitted to enter until further notice, other than in exceptional circumstances. This applies to foreign nationals in possession of visas issued since 1 October under the previous Global Residence Track. It also applies to certain countries that are part of individual Residence Tracks.
Other entry to Japan on a short-term basis such as for business, tourism or to visit family, continues to be denied other than in exceptional circumstances. Business Tracks with certain countries have also been suspended until further notice. Japan has also introduced caps on the numbers of people able to arrive by plane, and bookings on some routes have therefore been suspended. Check with your airline.
Further details are available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or via Japan’s Visa Information Hotline on +44 (0)800 041 8412. Alternatively, contact your nearest Japanese Embassy for more information, including if you believe you qualify for exceptional circumstances.
All those entering Japan currently need to provide written evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within the 72 hours before their flight departure time. Details of the format are available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. You should arrange to take a private test.
*Re-entry to Japan: Who has the Status of Residence in Japan and who leave or have left Japan with a valid re-entry permit are allowed to re-enter Japan. However, you will need to follow appropriate arrival and quarantine rules as set out below, and provide written evidence of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within the 72 hours before your flight departure time. You should check the Japanese government’s advice on this re-entry process on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the Ministry of Justice website (in Japanese).
Japan has also introduced caps on the number of people able to arrive by plane, and bookings on some routes have therefore been suspended. You should check with your airline if unsure.
Those who do not have a valid re-entry permit will in principle be denied re-entry; please consult the Japanese authorities for advice.
*Testing/screening on arrival: All passengers arriving in Japan are required to complete a health questionnaire before disembarkation, including contact details. They are then required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport. You will be asked to wait for the test results at the airport before moving to your accommodation.
*Quarantine requirements: Travellers coming from the UK or this list of countries
(see ‘Note 1’ under part 2 of sub-heading ‘2. Quarantine Measures’) are requested to spend 3 days in self-isolation at a government-provided facility, with a further COVID-19 test on the third day. If the test is negative they will be allowed to continue 14 days’ self-isolation as set out below.
All passengers arriving in Japan from this list of countries, as well as those countries which were part of individual Business and Residence Tracks until recently, are required to sign a pledge confirming that they will self-isolate for 14 days on arrival at a designated location (such as a hotel or their own home).
This pledge will also ask individuals to refrain from using public transport; install Japan’s COVID-19 tracing app; maintain location data for 14 days via their smartphone mapping application; and agree to disclose location data if requested by the quarantine authority.
Failure to comply with these requests could lead to an individual being subject to detention under the Quarantine Act. It could also lead to their name and relevant information related to reducing the spread of infection being released; and for foreign nationals, possible revocation of their status of residence and subsequent deportation.
If someone does not wish to sign this pledge, they will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days at a place designated by the quarantine authority. These measures will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
More details on Japan’s current quarantine rules are available here. New measures may also be brought in at short notice for travel from other countries.
*Transiting Japan: The measures listed above do not apply to passengers who are transiting through one Japanese airport and do not go through immigration. If you are transiting using different airports you will need a transit permit on arrival.
To get one you will be required to demonstrate that you have not come from a country on the banned list, that you have timely onward travel plans, and that you will not use public transport to move between airports; this includes taxis. You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the authorities. You should also check the latest entry requirements for your destination.
Internal Restrictions:
*Travel in Japan: The Government of Japan has imposed a State of Emergency in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures from 25 April to 11 May. Some businesses will be closed; others may continue to operate with reduced hours. Measures encouraging social distancing, wearing masks in public, avoiding closed spaces, and other basic precautions remain in place. Controls may be further strengthened as necessary. You should follow the instructions of your local authority.
Local authorities may also put in place special measures for natural disaster response, including additional evacuation locations and medical procedures. See Natural disasters for more information on general disaster preparedness in Japan.
Self-isolation at designated location.
Travellers from this list of countries (see ‘Note 1’ under part 2 of sub-heading ‘2. Quarantine Measures’) are requested to spend 3 days in self-isolation at a government-provided facility, with a further COVID-19 test on the third day. If the test is negative they will be allowed to continue 14 days’ self-isolation as set out below.
All passengers arriving in Japan from this list of countries, as well as those countries which were part of individual Business and Residence Tracks until recently, are required to:
- sign a pledge confirming that they will self-isolate for 14 days on arrival at a designated location (such as a hotel or their own home);
- refrain from using public transport; install Japan’s COVID-19 tracing app; maintain location data for 14 days via their smartphone mapping application; and agree to disclose location data if requested by the quarantine authority.
Failure to comply with these requests could lead to an individual being subject to detention under the Quarantine Act.
COVID-19 negative certification required for entering the country.
All those entering Japan currently need to provide written evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within the 72 hours before their flight departure time. They are then required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport. You will be asked to wait for the test results at the airport before moving to your accommodation.
*From March 19, all travelers including Japanese nationals who do not submit a certificate of negative test result will be denied entry into Japan in accordance with the Quarantine Act. Airline companies will reject boarding those without one.
The Checklist
This is a list of things to complete before you can begin to build your club network.
Anything with an asterisk is required.
Club essentials
Anything with an asterisk has to be completed before you can build your network.
Club picture and profile
Non-essential but still important.
When other club members see your entry on ClubGuests, a good picture says a thousand words.
You can also add words - write a nice, short profile of your club. You don’t need to put reciprocal details in here.
Club management menu
This menu lets you build your club network, respond to incoming network notifications and incoming member verification requests.
You can also edit the club address details and the club administrator details.
Status bar
This provides information about your account and any network activity.
Club network table
This area shows all your club network connections.
From here you can add existing clubs and create new ones.
You can also make special offers and custom reciprocal agreements.
Links for your website
This is where you can copy the ClubGuests links for your website.
Your email!
We notify you by email when people interact with your club network.
- When someone adds your club to their network
- When a member wants to be verified
- When a club makes an offer.
You can manage all these items just using links contained in the email - and you don’t even have to log in!
Make a habit of checking your email regularly - and add "admin@clubguests.net" to your list of trusted email addresses.
Adding a reciprocal link
This list displays all the clubs on ClubGuests that you can link to.
If your target club is on the list, click the 'eye' icon and add a link to the club.
If it isn’t, click the 'Create a club and link' button at the foot of the table.
The club you add gets notified when you create a link.
The club you add is instantly available to your members so they can get a letter of introduction.
Only create links to clubs that have reciprocal agreements with you.
Confirming notification
When you confirm a notification, the source club will be added to your club network.
ClubGuests sends an confirmation email to the source club
Do not add a club unless you already share a reciprocal agreement.
Adding a reciprocal link
When you add a reciprocal link, the club gets added to your reciprocal links list.
ClubGuests sends an confirmation email to the club you linked.
The linked club can confirm, reject or report the reciprocal link.
Do not add a club unless you already share a reciprocal agreement.
Rejecting a club notification
Use this form when the club is known to you, but there is an issue with your reciprocal agreement.
Please provide full details for the rejection.
The club administrator of the source club is sent an email and both parties can then resolve the issues raised.
Letter of introduction
This letter is automatically sent out to a member who requests a visit one of your reciprocal clubs.
You must place and edit a letterhead. All images are resized to 100px height.
You must also add a signatory to the letter. Do not personalise this with member names, dates or anything else that is changeable.
All other parts of the letter are personalised and are not editable.
Update checklist text fields
This form allows you to update all the text-based fields on your Checklist..
Club home page
Add a link to your main club home page.
This is used on the ClubGuests feed page and allows your members to go to your club home page.
Club profile
This shows if your club is listed by another club on ClubGuests.
Your entry should summarise your club in a few short, easy-to-read sentences.
Club letter signatory
This text appears at the foot of your letter of introduction.
If you want your letters "signed" by someone else, enter their name here.
You can sign off the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’, or any other form of words.
You can also add a more informal PS.
Advice to members
When your members plan a visit to one of your reciprocal clubs, what advice do you give them?
For example, clubs may require notice before a trip is planned.
This advice appears at the top of your ClubGuests reciprocal club page.
Club default agreement
When members of other clubs visit your club, what are the basic facilities that you offer?.
You might offer all the facilities of the club, or a limited set of facilities.
You can override the default agreement for individual clubs.
Default offer
Use offers to attract reciprocal club members to your club who otherwise would not visit.
Offers can come in the form of reduced meal prices, reduced accommodation prices or anything else that might increase your revenues.
You can override the default offer with a special offer for individual clubs.
Offer expiry date
Your offer must have an expiry date, set in the future.
If the expiry date has passed, the offer will not be shown on your ClubGuests entry.
All other parts of the letter are personalised and are not editable.
Club letterhead
The club letterhead gives authenticity and authority to your letters on introduction.
The best dimensions for your letterhead image are 570px x 100px.
All images are re-sized to a maximum depth of 100px.
You can use your logo instead of a letterhead.
You do not need to include your address on the letterhead image.
Signatory
You can add your own personal touch to your letter of introduction.
You can also add the name and position of the club secretary, or whoever you want to be the signatory to the letter.
Existing club lists
This list contains all the clubs that have been entered into ClubGuests
You can sort the. table columns or instantly search the table for any text using the search box.
Some of these clubs may be members. Others may not be members.
Click the eye icon to see details.
If your club is listed, please liaise with the club administrator shown.
If your club is NOT listed, please join by clicking the Join ClubGuests button at the foot of the table.
Your club details
Enter your club details on this form.
Required fields are in red..
Members of clubs in your network will see these details, so you want to make it easy for them to arrange a visit with you.
When you complete this form, we will take you to the joining form.
Adding a special offer
A special offer is something you offer to visitors from another club for a limited time.
It is meant to be a means of increasing club revenues.
It overrides any default special offer you may be offering during the same time period.
If you want this offer to be in addition to your default offer, please also enter details of your default offer.
Offer expiry date
If you enter details for an offer, you must give it an expiry date in the future.
If the offer date expires, the special offer will no longer be shown.
The number of expired offers is shown in the status bar. You can edit these to reset the expiry date.
Offer status
If the offer status is completed, the offer will show, as long as the expiry date is valid.
If the offer status is other than completed, the offer will not show even if the expiry date is valid.
Send mail
You can send the offer details by mail to the other club administrator.
It’s best to do this once you are satisfied that the details are accurate. Otherwise the other club administrator will keep getting mails every time you edit the offer.
You can add a pesonalised message to the other club administrator.
Adding a custom agreement
You can add a custom agreement when your default agreement is not suitable for certain clubs..
For example you may have much closer ties with some clubs rather than others. For visiting members, you provide extra facilities.
Your custom agreement will override your default agreement for this club.
Agreement details
You only need to enter the details of the services YOU provide, not the other club.
Agreement status
If the agreement status is 'Completed', it will be displayed.
If you want to remove the agreement, set the status to Cancelled or Suspended. The entry will then display the default agreement.
Suspending a reciprocal link
You can suspend a reciprocal link at any time.
You might want to do this because:
- The reciprocal club is no longer functioning
- The reciprocal agreement between you is under negotiation
- There is no longer a reciprocal agreement.
Please provide a reason - and a remedy if appropriate - when you suspend the link.
The reciprocal club is notified by email when the link is suspended.
The reciprocal club cannot un-suspend the link.
The reciprocal club can only be un-suspended by the club that was made the suspension.
Visit your Manage Reciprocal Links page to view and edit suspended links.
Adding a reciprocal link
This form does the following:
- adds a reciprocal club and the club administrator.
- adds the club's reciprocal agreement - the services it provides to your members
- notifies the club that you are using ClubGuests to process letters of introduction.
The link will be listed on your reciprocal links page
Your members will be able to get letters of introduction
The reciprocal club does not have to be a ClubGuests member
Reciprocal links header
This is the introduction for your members to your reciprocal links network. It should explain and promote your network. It should also include any advice to members who want to visit a reciprocal club. It does not need to explain how to use the ClubGuests service, as we provide that information.