ACCJ Town Hall Summary, Nov. 13

Nov 13

Written By Raena M

Town Hall – Friday, November 13, 2020

Peter Fitzgerald, ACCJ President

There have been a number of global developments since we last spoke, most notably the U.S. election and advancements in COVID-19 vaccines. Although there seems to be positive progress on the COVID-19 front, we should continue to exercise caution and vigilance, given how quickly cases can rise and are rising.
The ACCJ election is underway, and voting is open until November 25. If you are a voting member representative, please exercise your right to vote.
I am excited to share a Chamber milestone – 30.5% of leadership roles are now filled by women, surpassing our goal of 30% by the end of 2020.

Laura Younger, ACCJ Executive Director

ACCJ programming continues to be robust, with over 40 events and meetings a month. As part of our focus on creating flexible solutions that bring the highest level of service to our members, the Chamber is now offering hybrid events. We are implementing essential health and safety measures to provide a safe and positive experience. A virtual component will be available to ensure members have easy and equal access to all programming.
On December 5, the ACCJ will host its first virtual ACCJ Charity Ball, "Welcome to Remote Paradise." It will be a fun, interactive evening to raise much-needed funds for local charities, especially those severely affected by COVID-19. Please visit the Charity Ball webpage to register, become a sponsor, and learn more about the charities.

Chris LaFleur, ACCJ Chairman

The Chamber will continue its robust advocacy efforts, particularly on re-entry and travel restrictions and U.S.-Japan trade negotiations. It may take some time before the incoming Biden administration formalizes their trade positions. Still, we hope that current bilateral trade discussions continue moving forward, and we welcome the possibility of American involvement in multilateral trade dialogue in the region.
Please share your experiences with the ACCJ as we navigate the evolving re-entry and travel policies.

Karin Lang, Minister-Counselor for Consular Affairs and Consul General, U.S. Embassy

As speculations over a third wave of infections increase, we strongly encourage U.S. citizens to continue practicing personal health measures, as well as observing local and national directives.

The Embassy is open for business with limited capacity, including passport applications, notarial services, reports of birth, and visas. We are processing all categories of visitor visas, as well as increasing categories of immigrant visas. If you cannot secure an appointment and have an urgent matter, please contact the Embassy or your local Consulate.

The below summary was drafted by the ACCJ using information from the GOJ website and Mr. Nobuyuki Ichimura’s presentation at the ACCJ Town Hall on Friday, November 13.

Nobuyuki Ichimura, Director of the Border Management Division, Immigration Department, Immigration Services Agency

Friday, November 13, 2020

Provided an update to re-entry for foreigners from countries/regions designated as an area subject to denial of permission to enter Japan.

A. For general non-business travel of foreign residents of Japan with a valid re-entry permit

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001074.html (as of Nov 4):

Before departure from Country X to return to Japan

Take the PCR test within 72 hours before your departure (need to provide a negative test result) *Detailed explanation of the Valid Format of “Certificate of Negative Test Result” is available here <https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page25e_000334.html>.
“The Letter of Confirmation of Submitting Required Documentation for Re-entry into Japan” or “Receipt for Request of Re-entry” are not required when re-entering Japan from countries/regions designated as an area subject to denial of permission to enter Japan.

After arriving in Japan

Answer and submit a “Questionnaire“ (e.g. health condition, travel history) and "Health Card"
Take the antigen test at the airport
Stay at a place designated by the Chief of the Quarantine Station for 14 days (designated place includes a place of residence in Japan, relatives’ home, friend’s home, and hotels)
Refrain from using public transportation for 14 days, including at the time of arrival to the airport. Options are private vehicles, rent-a-car, and limousine services.

o List of limousine service providers (in Japanese):

Take periodic health follow-up by Public Health Centers

B. For business travels seven days and less:

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page22e_000925.html (Section 4)

This framework enables business persons residing in Japan to conduct limited business activities upon their return/re-entry into Japan after short-term business trips during the 14-day stay at home period, on condition that travelers accept additional quarantine measures listed out below.

*Business activities must be limited to the necessary minimum, such as round-trip travel between home and the office, not using public transportation and avoiding contact with random people or crowds.

In order to seek the easing of the 14-day self-quarantine after returning from a country or region which is subjected to denial of permission to enter into Japan a business traveler must follow the below procedures:

Documents to be submitted for entry/return to Japan

“Written Pledge” (Short-term business trips by business persons residing in Japan) (updated on October 30) 1 copy
“Schedule of Activities in Japan (updated on October 30) 1 copy
Certificate of pre-entry test results issued within 72 hours* In case the destination country/region is NOT designated as areas subject to denial of permission to enter Japan
“Questionnaire” (distributed to every passenger on the plane)

Procedures to be followed for entry/return to Japan

14-day health monitoring prior to departure
14-day health follow-up after returning to Japan, using LINE
Install the COVID-19 contact tracing application
Retain location data for 14 days after returning to Japan via the map application

C. Business Track:

This framework allows cross-border travelers to enter, exceptionally, Japan or its counterpart country/region, and is intended mainly for short-term business travelers. This framework enables limited business activities* during the 14-day stay at home period on condition that travelers accept additional quarantine measures as explained in Section B above.

Business Track is available to those who live in Japan or the countries that have an agreement with Japan with a long-term stay pass (in the case of Japan, “resident status”) regardless of nationality. As of November 30, this framework is in operation with the following countries and regions: Singapore, Republic of Korea, Vietnam, and China. Please click the links below for procedures and required forms.

Singapore: https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/page22e_000928.html

Republic of Korea: https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/page22e_000929.html

Vietnam: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page25e_000338.html

China: https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/a_o/c_m1/page24_001212.html

D. Measures to enable new entry from all countries/regions as long as host company or organization can guarantee adoption of quarantine measures:

The number of new entrants into Japan will be restricted.
All new-entrants need to follow the procedures for Residence Track.
Necessary procedures and forms differ depending on whether the country/region of departure is subject to denial of permission to enter Japan or not.

- If the country/region of your departure is subject to denial of permission to entry, please click

<https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page25e_000337.html#ct02>

- If the country/region of your departure is NOT subject to denial of permission to entry, please click

<https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page25e_000338.html#ct02>

Consolidated resources for (re-) entry into Japan can be found on the ACCJ website which include: