Japan Travel Update: The Empty Tokyo Summer Games

Overview

In this timely travel update recorded from his Tokyo balcony, John Daub addresses the pressing questions surrounding tourism to Japan during the pandemic and the upcoming 2020/2021 Olympics. With the organizing committee confirming a ban on overseas visitors for the Games, John analyzes the ripple effects on the economy, small businesses, and travel plans for the rest of 2021 and into 2022. He provides crucial details on entry protocols, including PCR testing, quarantine apps, and the slow rollout of vaccines in Japan.

Beyond travel logistics, John shares personal updates including the aftermath of a significant M7.2 earthquake in the Tohoku region, his family's experience with the recent state of emergency, and the upcoming arrival of his son, Leo. He discusses the cultural nuances of Japan's pandemic response, from peer pressure enforcement to the bureaucracy of registering a baby's name (koseki). The video serves as both a realistic guide for potential travelers and a snapshot of life in Tokyo during a unique historical moment.

Highlights

• 00:00:00 John explains the sankanshion weather pattern and cherry blossom status.
• 00:30:00 Tourism outlook: No overseas visitors expected before or during the Olympics.
• 02:31:00 Official confirmation of no overseas visitors; impact on Japan's economy.
• 04:03:00 Vaccine rollout status: Slow pace, healthcare workers first, privacy concerns.
• 06:51:00 Debate on vaccination passports and herd immunity timeline (2022).
• 10:40:00 Domestic tourism restarts post-emergency; infection numbers stabilizing.
• 13:40:00 Quarantine protocols for returning residents: PCR tests, apps, and strict enforcement.
• 16:20:00 M7.2 Earthquake update: Shindo 3 in Tokyo, no tsunami impact.
• 20:51:00 Travel advice for late 2021: Vaccines, PCR tests, and masking still required.
• 25:49:00 Baby name reveal upcoming; channel milestones and Patreon Q&A.
• 30:35:00 Warning against relying on secondhand internet info; check official gov sites.
• 34:30:00 Baby shower plans and COVID testing options in Japan.
• 44:20:00 Upcoming private Shinkansen trip to Tohoku with Peter von Gomm.
• 48:27:00 Closing thoughts: Stay safe, baby talk tomorrow.

Timeline / Chapters

• 00:00 - Weather Update & Cherry Blossoms
• 00:30 - Tourism & Olympics Ban
• 04:03 - Vaccine Rollout & Passports
• 10:40 - Domestic Travel & Infection Numbers
• 13:40 - Entry Protocols & Quarantine
• 16:20 - Tohoku Earthquake Report
• 20:51 - Future Travel Advice (2021-2022)
• 25:49 - Channel Updates & Baby News
• 30:35 - Official Information Sources
• 34:30 - Baby Shower & Testing
• 44:20 - Upcoming Shinkansen Trip
• 48:27 - Conclusion

Japan Travel Tips

• Tourism Timeline: Do not expect general tourism to resume until October 2021 at the earliest, likely 2022 for normalcy.
• Entry Requirements: Expect PCR tests 72 hours pre-flight, post-arrival testing, 14-day quarantine, and mandatory apps (Line, Skype, COVID contact app).
• Information Sources: Do not rely on secondhand internet info. Check MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), MOJ (Ministry of Justice), and JNTO directly. Call your local embassy.
• Transport: Consider Green Car or Grand Class on Shinkansen for social distancing during crowded periods.
• Health: Get vaccinated ASAP. Even with vaccination, masks and testing will remain required for travel.
• Apps: Install Line (Japan's WhatsApp) and Skype as they are government-approved for contact during quarantine.

Japanese Language & Culture Notes

• Sankanshion (三寒四温): John refers to this weather pattern as sankanshion, though the correct term is sankanshi (three days cold, four days warm), describing the fluctuating spring weather.
• Koseki (戸籍): The family registry system. John mentions going to City Hall to register the baby's name, which is required for legal status and embassy documentation.
• Shindo (震度): The Japanese seismic intensity scale. The recent quake was Shindo 3 in Tokyo, Shindo 5 in Tohoku.
• Peer Pressure Enforcement: Japan often relies on social pressure (sekentei) rather than legal penalties for compliance (e.g., masking, quarantine), though laws are shifting toward punishments.
• Vaccine Hesitancy: Japan is cautious regarding vaccines, prioritizing safety data over speed, leading to a slower rollout compared to countries like Brazil or the US.

People

• John Daub: Host and narrator. Provides on-the-ground perspective from Tokyo.
• Kanae Daub: John's wife. Mentioned regarding baby shower, vaccination timing, and COVID testing.
• Leo: John's son (unborn at time of recording). The subject of the baby shower and name reveal.
• Peter von Gomm: John's friend. Planned companion for the upcoming private Shinkansen trip to Aomori.
• Seiko Hashimoto: President of the Olympic organizing committee. Mentioned regarding the ban on overseas visitors.
• Yoshiro Mori: Former Olympic committee president. Mentioned regarding his resignation due to sexist comments.
• Shinzo Abe: Former Prime Minister. Mentioned regarding tourism targets (10 million to 40 million visitors).

Key Takeaways

• Olympics Without Fans: Overseas visitors are banned for the Olympics, significantly impacting tourism revenue and small businesses.
• Strict Entry Protocols: Returning residents and essential travelers face rigorous quarantine, testing, and digital monitoring.
• Vaccine Timeline: Herd immunity and worry-free travel are not expected until 2022. Japan's vaccine rollout is slow and cautious.
• Earthquake Resilience: A recent M7.2 quake in Tohoku caused little damage due to building standards, but serves as a reminder of seismic risks.
• Information Accuracy: Travelers must verify rules through official government channels as regulations change frequently.

Notable Quotes

• 00:00:00 "We call it sankanshion (three days cold, four days warm) before spring breaks, and we're in the middle of that."
• 00:30:00 "Before the Olympics slated for late July, I don't see tourism coming to Japan before then."
• 02:31:00 "It's hard, but don't stop dreaming big. I don't blame organizers for hoping for the best while preparing for the worst."
• 04:03:00 "Japan is super cautious, as usual. I'm disappointed at the speed."
• 13:40:00 "Sign protocol or face deportation/shaming online—worse than prison here."
• 16:20:00 "Society polices via peer pressure—like old ladies staring if you eat on subway."
• 20:51:00 "Closer to end than start, but not 2019-normal till later."
• 30:35:00 "No secondhand info, even from me—I'll stay updated."
• 34:30:00 "Babies cute (ours too, half-Japanese—hospital had hairy cute ones; ours hippie conehead, normalizing)."
• 48:27:00 "Much love from Tokyo. Later gator."

Related Topics

• Olympics 2020/2021 Controversies
• Japan COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
• Life in Tokyo During Pandemic
• Japanese Earthquake Preparedness
• Registering a Birth in Japan

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