Resumption of International Cruise Operations in Japan

November 15, 2022

On September 26, 2022, the Japanese government announced a new measure to ease border control: “Airports and seaports that are not currently accepting international flights will gradually resume the acceptance as soon as they are prepared and ready, in accordance with the cooperation of local governments with their future service scheduled.”

In response to this announcement, an industry organization of foreign cruise lines, Japan International Cruise Committee (JICC), has developed “Guidelines for Prevention of the Infection for International Cruise Operations (1st version),”. In addition, the industry organization of Japanese cruise lines, Japan Oceangoing Passenger Ship Association (JOPA), has revised the “Guidelines for Prevention of the Spread of COVID-19 Infections in International Cruise Lines (8th version)”, and the Port and Harbor Association of Japan has revised the “Guidelines for Prevention of the Spread of Infection in Passenger Terminals where Cruise Lines Call (8th version)”, to operate international cruises.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has received opinions from experts in infectious diseases and crisis management on the contents of these guidelines and confirmed them with the relevant ministries and agencies. Today (November 15), the guidelines were released by organizations, and we are pleased to announce that we have decided to resume the acceptance of international cruises in Japan.

The cruise lines will hold discussions with the relevant parties at each ports where they plan to call and, upon agreement, will resume operations in due course.

If you require any further information, please feel free to contact ISS Japan (email: isstokyoops@iss-shipping.com).