Disclaimer: All data for this segment is accurate at the time of writing. To get the latest data, tap on the organizations mentioned.
Over the past decade, Japan has experienced a record number of foreign visitors, rising from 8. 61 million in 2010 to 31. 88 million in 2019. With the good luck of major foreign events such as the G20 Summit in Osaka and the Rugby World Cup, as well as the Tokyo 2020 Games. At the Olympics and Paralympics, it looked like Japan was on course to break its away record again.
That was until the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped the world as we know it, postponing the Olympics for a year and disrupting the outdoors and the way business is conducted. As a result, businesses around the world are adapting to the “new normal” and locating new tactics to operate in compliance with Covid-19 regulations.
In response, Japan is pursuing a nationwide crusade to fight Covid-19 in accordance with central government guidelines. The goal of those Covid-19 countermeasures, aimed at corporations and individuals, is to save you or the 3Cs:
According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, extra precautions should be taken to prevent the “3Cs” from overlapping, as this greatly increases the threat of clusters forming.
To complement those guidelines, industry-specific data has been produced through organizations in Japan, including:
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is issuing these rules to control Covid-19 and repair the commercial events sector.
In particular, the JCCB rules summarize the fundamental measures that will need to be understood when organizing, promoting, and conducting business events. By following those rules, organizations similar to trade events will be able to lessen the threat of infection and demonstrate Japan’s efforts to welcome foreign guests.
According to JNTO, those rules constitute the unity and preparedness of the Japanese commercial events industry in its reaction to Covid-19, as well as the leadership it gives to reduce the risk posed by the pandemic.
The new measures target the threat of infection everywhere from transportation and accommodation to event venues and restaurants, so let’s take a look at some of those express measures.
PACIFICO Yokohama, long established as one of Japan’s premier business event venues, sits on the waterfront overlooking Yokohama Bay. Notably, PACIFICO Yokohama recently inaugurated a new corridor called PACIFICO Yokohama North, which features a gigantic 6,300 m² corridor that is one of the largest multipurpose corridors in Japan. Japan.
Several of the precautions now implemented by PACIFICO Yokohama include: socially distanced seating arrangements, disinfection of high-traffic areas, provision of alcohol sprays at entrances, strict precautions with food and beverages, as well as the loan of thermal cameras to event organizers. These measures are complemented by new educational sessions and protective briefings with event organisers to ensure social distancing is maintained.
Images of PACIFIC Yokohama
Image via PACIFIC Yokohama
Image via PACIFIC Yokohama
Image via PACIFIC Yokohama
Image via PACIFIC Yokohama
Image via PACIFIC Yokohama
PACIFICO Yokohama has also begun hosting hybrid and online events, bringing together a mix of physical and hands-on attendees. According to PACIFICO Yokohama, in addition to social distancing, one of the benefits of holding these events is that there are no geographical restrictions, so it is possible for other people to participate from anywhere in the world. One such hybrid event scheduled for December 2020 is the Asia-Pacific Chapter Summit of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA AP Summit), which will be held at PACIFIC Yokohama North.
Despite the current crisis, PACIFICO Yokohama is optimistic about the recovery of the corporate events industry and its ability to cope with the pressures of the pandemic. “We believe that the seriousness and cooperation of other Japanese people is what makes the Japanese business events sector resilient,” a spokesperson said. “The government’s slow easing of restrictions for occasions was a request, not a regulation, but everyone has committed to it and is taking appropriate protective measures. “
PACIFIC Yokohama plans to host several major foreign gatherings scheduled in the future. The venue’s management hopes that once travel restrictions are eased, the business events sector will have recovered from the effect of Covid-19.
Founded in 2009, The J Team is a destination control company that specializes in corporate events in Japan, and according to corporate spokesperson James Kent, Covid-19 has fundamentally replaced the way they do business. For example, sales meetings have had to migrate to video calling software and messaging apps for smartphones. “The nature of our industry is that it’s very much based on human relationships, connections, and the sharing of wisdom and skills through networking,” Kent says. “People who attend professional events are sociable by nature and crave human interaction. “
To adapt, Team J began publishing a virtual newsletter called “Japan Covid-19 Situation Report for Business Events” to provide a summary of the existing situation, adding the most recent Covid-19 case numbers and explanations of related government restrictions to help. others are adapting to the situation.
J-Team Images
Image by The J Team, taken at the Taiko Center in Aoyama.
Image by J-team
Images of the Imperial Hotel
Image of the Imperial Hotel
Image of the Imperial Hotel
Image of the Imperial Hotel
Image of the Imperial Hotel
Another luxury hotel in Tokyo with a history beyond that is The Okura Tokyo, which opened several new banquet halls in September 2019. According to a hotel spokesperson, in addition to implementing popular protective measures against Covid-19, the new banquet halls can be ventilated more. three times an hour, which means the air is freshened every 10 to 20 minutes. “In addition to offering hand sanitizers and taking consistent temperatures with infrared thermometers, we have a new design and seating arrangement in our restaurants and banquet halls in a way that takes into account social distancing measures,” a Sonson spokesperson said. “We also have transparent walls at the check-in counters and for other people at the event level. Thermal cameras capable of recording the temperature of up to 10 other people can also be purchased at once.
Images of Okura Tokyo
Image by Okura Tokyo
Image by Okura Tokyo
The Japanese hotel chain Hoshino Resorts has announced a “statement to put into force the maximum criteria for action against the coronavirus”. According to a hotel spokesperson, it’s about avoiding the “3 C’s”: maintaining maximum hygiene practices, cutting traffic congestion, installing transparent screens, disinfecting toilets very well and offering hand sanitizer. In addition, visitors can also check real-time attendance at the onsen and pool point on their smartphone. “Regarding the buffet that we had suspended, we have restarted it with a ‘new general buffet,'” the spokesperson said. The tables, seats, and tongs, which many other people touch, are now nano-coated, each and every plate is covered, and we hand out masks and gloves to our visitors. “
Images of Hoshino Resorts
Image via Hoshino Resorts
Image via Hoshino Resorts
Image via Hoshino Resorts
For business travelers arriving in Japan, their first interaction with the country’s culture comes before they set foot on dry land if they decide to travel on one of the country’s two major airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA) or Japan Airlines (JAL). Both airlines include the spirit of omotenashi, Japan’s classic and renowned hospitality.
ANA and JAL have implemented similar safety and hygiene protocols based on rules mandated by industry organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These include encouraging passengers to check in online. Offer antibacterial hand wipes inside the cabin, clean and disinfect the aircraft, and ensure that cabin staff and crew wear masks or face coverings. To ensure social distancing, direction beacons have been installed in the boarding spaces and a new boarding procedure has been implemented to decrease congestion in the aisles.
According to ANA, they will continue to compare their “ANA Care Promise,” protocols and protection and hygiene requirements, and do everything imaginable to ensure every person’s protection. According to an ANA spokesperson, “The protection and well-being of our consumers and workers is of paramount importance. We are committed to creating a comfortable and fun experience with a focus on protection and peace of mind.
Pictures of All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Image via All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Image via All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Image via All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Image via All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Image via All Nippon Airways (ANA)
JAL spokesperson Mark Moritomo believes that Japanese hospitality is unique because it is based on “careful observation” and not manuals on what you want to do. According to Moritomo, omotenashi upholds a commitment to professionalism when this extra step is taken and believes that this point of professionalism is increased due to the pandemic.
Pictures of Japan Airlines (JAL)
Image via Japan Airlines (JAL)
Image via Japan Airlines (JAL)
Image via Japan Airlines (JAL)
Image via Japan Airlines (JAL)
Regardless of which airline you choose, due to Covid-19, all travelers are reminded to check the latest immigration access restrictions.
In accordance with popular Covid-19 protection guidelines, the operator of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) offers hand sanitizer at busy stations and ensures increased ventilation inside the carriages. Other measures include the installation of transparent walls at ticket counters. assign seats with good enough social distancing and provide information on the occupancy of certain exercise cars to reduce congestion within the cars and at stations.
Images of the Japan Eastern Railway Company (JR East)
Image via East Japan Railway Company (JR East)
Image via East Japan Railway Company (JR East)
Image via East Japan Railway Company (JR East)
Image via East Japan Railway Company (JR East)
As in Shinkansen bullet trains and traditional explicit trains, where the windows cannot be opened, the air inside the carriages is renewed every six to eight minutes or so thanks to air conditioning and ventilation systems.
Despite the disruption in the commercial events industry in Japan, the “new normal” has forced stakeholders to adopt new practices to lessen the threat and business operations of Covid-19.
JNTO, on the other hand, launched its Meet Japan educational program in January 2021. This virtual program for event professionals will include an educational seminar, an online “Familiarization Trip” and an online “Japan Convention Trade Mart,” which will provide “During this financial year, many prospective buyers will likely not be able to physically stop in cities and conference venues during the study trip due to Covid-19,” a spokesperson said. That’s why we have to help you prepare for the takeover of your business by providing you with our special “ONLINE Meet Japan, Edu”. Fam’ for the first time. There are still spaces to participate and they are interested. Parties can register here.
Foreign visitors to Japan temporarily become aware of the determination that other people in the Japanese service sector put into their work. At the heart of this commitment is omotenashi, or classic Japanese hospitality, founded on single-minded professionalism and anticipation of guests’ wishes. Now, during Covid-19, many Japanese corporations are returning to those core values to ensure that Japan remains a country that welcomes foreign visitors not only with an exclusive cultural experience, but also makes health and consumer protection a very sensible priority.
With centuries-old traditions coexisting with new cutting-edge technologies, Japan is indeed a center of wisdom that inspires artistic ideas. Much of what visitors enjoy in Japan is new, and this newness is a smart thing. We can help you get started exploring the unforgettable delicacies that can only be discovered here in Japan.