Entry into Japan, from August 2020

[KyushuWoozy]

The new rules from September are here: http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001327497.pdf

That gives 404 error now ("not found on this server")

This is the correct page:

http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001327551.pdf

BTW, as someone who handles website content day in and day out, leaving a 404 error is so lazy and/or amatuer

[Moneymatters]

The new rules from September are here: http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001327497.pdf

That gives 404 error now ("not found on this server")

This is the correct page:

http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001327551.pdf

BTW, as someone who handles website content day in and day out, leaving a 404 error is so lazy and/or amatuer

Thanks for that. A mental workout as always.

So basically. This is the back of the hand stamp to let you out of the local youth disco!

Up to Sept 6th we can just make this request at airport when leaving Japan. And hope they have capacity on the day you plan to return and they'll issue you a receipt you must guard with your very life.

But from Sept 7th. And please correct me if I'm wrong. We need to email an application for permission to leave Japan and later return on a specified date. (Subtext. One way departures are 大歓迎).. Then hang on to the email approval or else.

Whether at the airport or email in advance, after you've purchased your flights of course, there is the chance they won't have capacity on the day you want to return.
I would be interested to hear how much testing capacity they reserve for, an as yet unknown number of Japanese travelers, and what artificial limits will be placed on foreigners with actual plans as a result of withholding that capacity.

On the other hand. You can still leave without this process but you'll be balancing contacting the embassy, getting their OK for a flight schedule and then coordinating a Covid test.
A test that is still required with either approach. Even though its a meaningless test as you'll be tested again on arrival. But at least you won't be placing the lives of those untested Japanese passengers at risk.

I hope I'm wrong about some of this.

[eyeswideshut]

But at least you won't be placing the lives of those untested Japanese passengers at risk.

+1 funny (but in a way that makes me sad ). I early on resigned myself to not going home for summer and am now in the process of resigning myself to not going home at Christmas either.

[RetireJapan]

You can still leave without this process but you'll be balancing contacting the embassy, getting their OK for a flight schedule and then coordinating a Covid test.

Are you sure about this? I thought people that left before the ban can come back with a test, etc. but anyone leaving from now on needs to get permission in advance or hope that immigration will be flexible and willing to work with you when you want to come back

[RetireJapan]

BTW, as someone who handles website content day in and day out, leaving a 404 error is so lazy and/or amatuer

Yeah, they updated the file by deleting the old one and making a new one with a new name, screwing up everyone that linked to the original.

Thanks, MOJ. You're really giving the impression you care about this

[Moneymatters]

You can still leave without this process but you'll be balancing contacting the embassy, getting their OK for a flight schedule and then coordinating a Covid test.

Are you sure about this? I thought people that left before the ban can come back with a test, etc. but anyone leaving from now on needs to get permission in advance or hope that immigration will be flexible and willing to work with you when you want to come back

Am I sure?! I'm increasingly convinced we live in a simulation. I wasn't commenting on those that left before the ban or those that left after the ban and before this new process. I think it's business as unusual for all of them.

My comments were related to people thinking to take a trip abroad from Sept 7th. BTW, I'm not doing it. Even with a re-entry permit and another re-entry receipt on top of that. I'm not relying on Japan bureaucracy for any of this!

Departure procedure
Present your Receipt to an immigration officer at your port of departure.
Persons who cannot present a Receipt may not be eligible to use this procedure.

I'm reading that as you can still rock up to the airport from Sept 7th without pre-approval but I'm highly doubtful the guy at the desk will let you book a return slot and email/print you a magic "receipt" on the spot.
So once you are abroad you'll be lumped with the plebs approaching the embassy about when they can return. The only thing is you might now have to write an apology letter for not following the pre-departure from Japan process. I jest of course. Such an additional, entirely punitive measure would be entirely out of character.

I do NOT believe immigration will physically prevent anyone from departing. They seem far too motivated in the other direction.

[RetireJapan]

Oh, yeah, sorry. Of course anyone can leave whenever they want to. But for those that want to come back again it's going to be tricky to navigate this.

I too have no intention of going anywhere for... a while.

[concerned]

And BTW please make sure to pay any tax liability you may have in Japan, while you are trying to get back there... Unfortunately no tax holiday for you...