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Hawaii Reopening Travel To Japanese Tourists But It's Not Reciprocal Yet

Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons

Travelers from Japan will be able to avoid the state’s 14-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test starting on November 6th.

Similar to the trans-Pacific travel program, Japanese visitors will need to take a test 72 hours before their departure for Hawaii.

Gov. David Ige explained that reopening travel for Japanese visitors is an important step in maintaining a good relationship with the country.

“Back in March, when the 14-day mandatory quarantine was put in effect, I sent an apology to many Japanese travelers who were forced to cancel their trip to Hawaii due to our safety measures,” he said.

“Today I'm sending a new message. Please feel free to safely visit our islands. We are ready and delighted to welcome you back.”

Nippon Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines plan to fly a total of 10 flights to the state in November.

Then, starting in December, that increases to four flights per week from Tokyo-Narita and three each from Tokyo-Haneda and Osaka.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green lauded the trans-Pacific travel program. He said of the 94,718 travelers who were screened over the last 12 days, 81,485 were able to avoid the mandatory quarantine. 

He said the numbers indicate that opening up travel from Japan to Hawaii will be successful.

Last year, Japanese visitors spent more than $2 billion locally, setting a record for tourism in Hawaii.

Once Japan nationals return home, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days and take a PCR test.

Ige said he is looking to expand the pretest travel program to other countries, including Canada, China, South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand.

Hawaii and other U.S. tourists are still not permitted to travel to Japan. According to the U.S. Embassy in Japan, there is "no indication that this will change in the short term."

 

Ashley Mizuo is the government reporter for Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Contact her at amizuo@hawaiipublicradio.org.
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