Q&A on the Japanese government’s new measures to drastically strengthen border control

 
As part of the “Measures to drastically strengthen border control”, the Japanese government announced on 5 March a series of new measures targeting China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as “ROK”). These measures came into effect from 0:00 on 9 March and will last until the end of the month. Depending on the situation, there is a possibility that the duration will be extended. (The latest information will be updated.) 
 
[About the visa exemption arrangements]
Q: Will visitors who have already entered Japan before the suspension of the visa exemption arrangement be affected?
A: Under the new measures, visitors who have already entered Japan before the implementation date will not be affected.
 
Q: Do the new measures also apply to Hong Kong residents with BNO passports? 
A: Yes, the new measures also apply to Hong Kong residents with BNO passports. Hence, they will not be able to have visa-free access to Japan starting from 0:00 on 9 March.
 
Q: Businessmen and exchange students etc. are expected to be hugely affected by the new measures. Will there be any exceptions?
A: No exceptions are expected for people travelling on business, to visit relatives, for study or for sightseeing. However, for special cases on urgent humanitarian grounds, kindly contact our Consulate directly.
 
Q: Will the existing Japanese visas lose validity?
A: As the new measures are effective from 0:00am on 9 March through 31 March (the duration may be extended), all single entry visas and multiple entry visas issued by the Japanese Embassy or Japanese Consulates in China (including Hong Kong) within this period will become temporarily invalid. Please contact our Consulate for enquiries on the validity of visas whose effective periods are supposed to last even after the end of the suspension.
 
Q: Can I still apply for a Japanese visa now? When will the suspension of visa issuance and that of visa exemption arrangement end?
A: Under the new measures to drastically strengthen border control, if there is really a need, you can still submit your application for a Japanese visa even after 9 March (Monday). However, the necessary time for visa application and screening process may be longer than usual. The suspension of visa issuance and that of the visa exemption arrangement will last till 31 March inclusive, but the duration may be extended.
 
Q:  Are those people who enter Japan with valid visas still subject to 14-day self-quarantine?
A: Yes, those people are subject to 14-day self-quarantine.
 
[About the quarantine measures upon arrival in Japan]
Q: If I arrived in Japan from Hong Kong before 9 March, do I need to undergo the 14-day quarantine?
A: The new measures came into effect starting from 0:00 on 9 March. Visitors who entered Japan before that will not be affected.
 
Q: If I arrive in Japan from Hong Kong after 9 March, can I leave Japan without staying for a total of 14 days?
A: All visitors who enter Japan after 0:00 on 9 March are requested to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine period at designated places. However, they are allowed to leave Japan before the 14-day self-quarantine period is over.