A woman wearing a face mask visits the Chinatown area in Yokohama on May 26, 2020. Photo by Philip FONG / AFP
TOKYO — The Japanese government has decided to take steps to stimulate demand in the tourism and restaurant business, which have been suffering from the spread of the new coronavirus, from late July.
A total budget of ¥1.7 trillion ($15.7 billion) has been secured for benefits, such as subsidies for domestic travel and coupons usable at restaurants.
In measures titled the “Go To Campaign,” the government will subsidize half of domestic travel costs up to ¥20,000 per night and issue coupons that can be used at souvenir shops and elsewhere. There are also plans to issue meal tickets with a premium for restaurants, and reduce prices for event tickets.
The government on Monday lifted the state of emergency nationwide. Basic policies for dealing with the virus will include gradually easing requests for self-restraint in going out through the end of July.
It will disseminate information to business operators and customers, and make preparations to implement the measures in accordance with the tourist season during summer vacation.