Japan Scraps COVID Border Measures as ‘Golden Week’ Holiday Rush Begins

The country also will downgrade legal status of COVID-19 to that of a seasonal flu

People queue to buy tickets into the city after their arrival at the international terminal of Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Oct.11, 2022. Richard A. Brooks/AFP via Getty Images

Japan lifted its COVID-19 border measures on April 29, allowing all arrivals to enter the country without showing proof of vaccination or negative test results, as the country’s “Golden Week” holiday began.

Golden Week is one of Japan’s busiest travel times. Four national holidays fall within the period from April 29 to May 5, and Japan is anticipating an influx of tourists.