COVID-19 Resource Centre

  1. BCCJ COVID-19 Resource Centre/Webinars  
  2. UK Government Travel Advice
  3. From the Japanese Government
  4. BCCJ Member Hubs and Services
  5. Responsible Business and COVID-19
  6. Contact

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, the BCCJ is taking action to ensure the security and well-being of our community. We are in daily contact with the UK Government as well as local, regional and global partners, and will look to provide trusted resources and a new platform for knowledge sharing with the goal of keeping members up to date with the latest developments and business practices.

In light of recent directives from the Japanese Government, the BCCJ will be postponing all face-to-face events until we receive further notification, after which we will reassess the situation. In the meantime, we are pleased to have launched a new webinar series, ‘COVID-19: Default to Action‘. We encourage you to get involved and contribute your expertise, as a participant, or even a future panellist. If you have any suggestions, please do send us a message via the contact form at the bottom of this page and we will reply at our earliest possible convenience.

Joint Statement on the Easing of Re-Entry Restrictions on Foreign Residents in Japan

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ) and the European Business Council (EBC) express their deep appreciation to the Government of Japan for its efforts in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Japan, and, in particular, for the uniform treatment of re-entry procedures for both Japanese national and foreign residents of Japan. We hope this equal application of the travel measures and public health protocols will continue to be enforced for the benefit of all. For full statement read HERE.
日本語で読みたい方はこちらでお読みください。

Government subsidies

Government subsidies have finally stabilized since the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, and now may be an opportune time to consider applying as you rethink your current and future business and workstyle. In this video, BCCJ supporter Ms. Tsuboi simplifies the basics of the three common types of subsidies for businesses affected by Covid-19 pandemic, breaking down subsidy rate and eligibility requirements, step-by-step.

Supporting PDF referred to in the video HERE

If you would like to learn more from Ms. Tsuboi, please answer the questions relevant to the subsidy you are applying for on this form, and send to [email protected]

COVID-19 Business Impact Survey

Members of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) have implemented measures to ensure business continuity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, even as they forecast a fall in revenue in 2020, according to a survey carried out by the BCCJ in April. Furthermore, Platinum, Corporate and Entrepreneur members remain hopeful about their respective businesses in two years’ time, reflecting resilience amongst the community. Some 75 member companies responded to the poll, 92% of which are primarily located in Tokyo. Some 53% are based in Japan; the others hold their main enterprise abroad.

VIEW COVID-19 BUSINESS IMPACT SURVEY>>

Watch the BCCJ’s Default to Action Webinar Series

Join us as we hear from guests of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan on how to navigate COVID-19. Business insights, best practices, government advice, well-being tips and more.

WATCH HERE>>

Listen to and download the BCCJ’s Default to Action Podcast

Join us as we hear from guests of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan on how to navigate COVID-19. Business insights, best practices, government advice, well-being tips and more.

LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD HERE>>

BCCJ Member Hubs and Services

As we navigate COVID-19 together, the BCCJ is looking to provide resources to help guide businesses of all shapes and sizes through the challenges ahead. This page is designed to share insights, guides and services, from members, useful for members.

VIEW BCCJ MEMBER HUBS AND SERVICES PAGE>>

Responsible Business and COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted the economy, people and the planet. Adopting a responsible business conduct approach in government and business responses to the crisis will generate short and long-term benefits such as increased resilience, a fairer and more inclusive distribution of benefits from recovery measures, and a stronger contribution to sustainable development. This page highlights some of the responsible business measures and initiatives BCCJ members are adopting in the fight against COVID-19

VIEW RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS AND COVID-19 PAGE>>

Amidst social distancing during the bubonic plague of 1666, some of Sir Isaac Newton’s most notable triumphs were realised, not least his theory of gravity. It may be ambitious to say that one day we will all be able to emerge from the pandemic with such groundbreaking revelations to share with the world, but in being out of step with our ordinary lives, we are all constantly turning over new discoveries and sides of ourselves on a more personal level. Whether that’s buying a kitten, bringing your work-station into the digital age, starting a vegetable patch, mastering chess or a musical instrument, or even taking some time to admire your closer surroundings, we can see a deeper level of appreciation of the lives we lead and decisions we make.

Find the full article and wonderful picture project HERE!

UK Government Travel Advice

Travel advice is constantly being updated, be sure to check the most recent information when travelling. [Updated 4 March 2022,] British nationals who have an existing Status of Residence in Japan and who hold a valid re-entry permit will be allowed to leave and re-enter Japan. However, new entry of UK nationals is not permitted save for business travelers and students. [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan]. For those that want to stay updated on a regular basis, please subscribe to email updates from the UK Government on travel advice to Japan [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan/email-signup].

[Can I still travel to Japan?]

As of March 1, 2022, foreign nationals (including British nationals) with Status of Residence who have a valid re-entry permit, are in principle allowed to re-enter the country. If you do not have these you may apply for a visa to enter Japan for business, study, or purposes other than tourism. However, you should note that the visa waiver system has been suspended and the visa application must be started by the sponsor in Japan. Those without a valid visa or re-entry permit will be denied entry.

Bookings on some flight routes have been restricted or suspended. Flight length and routing may also be impacted by the current situation in Ukraine.

Be sure to check the UK and Japanese government’s official advice before making travel plans here (UK) and here (Japan).

[What do I need to prepare for my flight to Japan?]

– Take an approved COVID-19 test within 72 hours before your flight departure time, and obtain proof of a negative result in an approved format

– (Before disembarkation) Sign a written pledge that commits you to abiding by the quarantine and self-isolation rules and to a number of other requirements.

– (Before disembarkation) Complete an online health questionnaire and obtain a QR code

Some airlines may require these documents to be shown before boarding as part of their internal rules. At immigration, you will be asked to submit the above documentation, to take another COVID-19 test (and await the results at the airport), and to install COVID-19 tracing applications on your smartphone or other device.

[What can I expect upon entry to Japan?]

If you are travelling from the UK or other countries designated in response to COVID-19 variants, you will be required to spend 3 full days after the day of arrival in a government-provided hotel. You will need to take a COVID-19 test on Day 3 (the day of arrival counts as Day 0). If the test is negative, you will be permitted to end self-isolation. You may use public transport to reach your place of self-isolation. You will be asked to monitor your health condition on a daily basis for ten days and report any symptoms.

[I am planning to return to the UK, what do I need to do?]
If you are returning to the UK from Japan, consult the latest advice on actions to take from the UK Government.

[What if I have symptoms of Covid-19?]
Follow advice of local authorities; many have dedicated hotlines to provide information in English. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare provides a list of Covid-19 consultation centers nationwide, some of which are foreigner-friendly. JNTO also provides a 24/7 hotline.

JETRO Invest Japan Helpline

JETRO has launched a helpline (Invest Japan Helpline) that accepts
inquiries in multiple languages in order to support foreign companies
and foreign-affiliated companies during this difficult situation.
If a foreign company or a foreign-affiliated company from your country/region
is having problems such as collecting information about government
economic measures, questions on labor affairs or status of residence,
please share the JETRO website: Here

 

Japan to relax COVID border controls, give priority entry to students

Japan will ease its COVID-19 border controls further from March 14, raising the daily cap on entrants from overseas to 7,000 from the current 5,000, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday.

With some 150,000 overseas students said to be waiting to enter Japan following roughly two years of coronavirus travel restrictions, Kishida unveiled a new scheme to give priority to such students when business travel demand is not high.

The phased easing of the strict rules, which became the target of criticism at home and abroad, comes in response to calls for Japan to allow more entries, especially by foreign students ahead of the April start of the country’s school year.

Read the full article from Kyodo HERE.

Japan to extend antivirus restrictions in Tokyo and 14 prefectures

The government is set to extend the COVID-19 quasi-state of emergency in Tokyo and 14 prefectures as Japan has been facing a slower-than-expected fall in infection numbers due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, officials said Wednesday.

The measures, under which restaurants and bars are required to close early and stop or limit the serving of alcohol, will likely remain in place until March 21, the officials said. The government will formally decide on the extension after consulting with a panel of health experts on Friday.

The 14 prefectures include Osaka, Aichi, Hokkaido as well as the three areas neighboring Tokyo — Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama.

Read the full article from Kyodo HERE.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Updates on COVID-19 Website

この他、日本語による感染症の情報源はこちらからご覧ください。

Get in touch

Do you have an enquiry regarding COVID-19? Or wish to contribute to the BCCJ’s COVID-19 Resource Centre? Please do send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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