Japan plans to open up their borders for a test return to tourism - however holidays won't be an easy-going break.
Just 50 travellers will be allowed to visit Japan as tourists for the first time since 2020, and they will not be allowed to enjoy the country without supervision.
Small groups of no more than four will be able to visit Japan on a special visa. The tours will be strictly planned and holidaymakers will be accompanied by a tour guide at all times.
The tourists must be triple vaccinated and must also have their own health insurance.
If these "test cases" are successful, Japan will look to consider a path towards resuming tourism, although they have not committed to a timeline as of yet.
The Japan Tourism Agency announced this development yesterday in a statement.
The statement said: "This venture will allow us to verify compliance and emergency responses for infection prevention and formulate guidelines for travel agencies and accommodation operators to keep in mind,"
This was originally planned in late 2021 but got pushed back due to the Omicron variant.
There has been pressure from businesses to resume tourism, as the yen has fallen to 20-year lows.
In a recent speech, the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he plans to bring Japan's border rules into line with similar countries in June, but no further details have been since provided.
This comes as the country begins to loosen restrictions, with students and certain business travellers able to enter.
Would you go on a holiday with such tight restrictions? Let us know in the comments.
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