Govt. To Postpone Nationwide Travel Support Program
The Japanese government has decided to put off plans for a program that encourages travel around Japan due to the nationwide resurgence of coronavirus infections.
Tourism minister Saito Tetsuo told reporters on Thursday that after speaking with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio it was decided to postpone the program to get tourism going for the time being.
The government had planned early this month to expand a travel subsidy program for trips within each prefecture and surrounding areas nationwide.
But the government has instead decided to extend the current program through the end of August.
Travelers in the current program can get discounts in six divided blocks in Japan. The maximum discount is 5,000 yen, or about 36 dollars, per person per night.
The government plans to raise the discount amount to 8,000 yen, or about 58 dollars, per person per night in the planned nationwide program.
Saito suggested that the government wants to start the nationwide program as soon as there is confirmation that coronavirus infections are declining.