Japan seeks to boost domestic tourism by paying a fraction of travelers' expenses after COVID-19

The Japanese government seeks to boost domestic tourism by paying a part of the travelers' expenses once the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) subsides.

A report on Japan Times said there was a plunge in foreign travelers visiting the country amid the pandemic.

Citing the latest government data, Japan Times reported that only an estimated 2,900 foreign travelers visited Japan in April amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which is 99.9% down compared to last year.

According to the Japan Times report, this is the first time that the monthly figure went below the 10,000 mark since 1964, the year Japan Tourism started collating statistics.

In a news conference, chief of the agency Hiroshi Tabata said the project to boost tourism will be made possible through their  ¥1.35 trillion ($12.5 billion) program which could possibly start in July if COVID-19 infections subside.

According to the report, it was in early April when Japan expanded its travel restrictions with foreign nationals from about 70 countries being barred from entry including China, South korea, United States and most of Europe to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Japan Times said the country has expanded the entry ban in Japan to 100 countries in May. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News