Japan tourism subsidy program delayed as Covid cases double
Japan’s plan to start the tourism subsidy program again has been shelved for now due to rising Covid infections.
Tourism minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed the delay.
“We concluded that now is not the time to start the nationwide subsidy program,” he said.
He said the government will assess the spread of infections and hospitalisations before deciding when it will start.
“There were strong expectations among those involved in the tourism and transportation sector for the national discount program.”
“But considering the infection situation, we had no choice but to postpone,” Saito added.
“We’ll implement the program as soon as the infection situation improves,”
However a separate subsidy program allowing people to travel within their own prefecture or within specific regional areas will continue.
The latest wave is the Omicron variant known as BA.5, and all 47 prefectures have reported increases in cases.
The number of new cases in the week to July 12 has doubled.
The government said there are no plans yet to impose any restrictions on activities.
Ray Monty
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