Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi says the government will announce a new direction for its "Go To" travel campaign in the coming days as coronavirus cases continue to rise sharply.
Nishimura said on an NHK program on Sunday that the government will impose some restrictions on the campaign, although he thinks there is nothing wrong with the program itself.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide plans to ask local governments to consider implementing partial limits on spending stimulus campaigns as Japan faces a resurgence in coronavirus cases.
Suga made the remarks at a meeting of the government's coronavirus task force on Monday.
Japan's tourism minister says he will consider extending the domestic travel promotion campaign beyond the end of January.
The government-sponsored "Go To Travel" program gives discounts on trip costs and offers coupons for use at tourist spots and souvenir shops.
Japan's tourism minister has announced that the government will allocate additional funds to its tourism campaign, aimed at boosting the pandemic-hit economy.
The move comes after some travel websites became unable to give a promised level of discounts.
Analysis of a large amount of data indicates that the number of travelers from Tokyo to other prefectures over the weekend rose 7 percent nationwide from the figure for a week earlier.
This was the first weekend since trips to and from Tokyo were added to the government's "Go To" campaign to encourage tourism.
This is the first weekend since trips to or from Tokyo have been included in the government's nation-wide tourism stimulus campaign, "Go To Travel". The initiative offers large subsidies to tourists to help support the pandemic-hit economy.
The country's tallest tower, Tokyo Skytree is offering a 50 percent discount on the admission price this weekend. Visitors can also use special "Go To travel" coupons at cafes and other outlets inside the complex.
The Japanese government's "Go To Travel" campaign that is aimed at stimulating domestic tourism now includes Tokyo.
The "Go To Travel" campaign offers people discounts on travel costs. It began in July.
Japan's "Go To Eat" program encouraging people to dine out kicked off on Thursday. The campaign focuses on supporting restaurants affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Through the program, diners can earn points when they make reservations at restaurants through booking websites.
Japan's Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has laid out anti-infection rules for restaurants that hope to join the "Go To Eat" campaign.
The rules include placing disinfectant at entrances and ensuring that there is sufficient ventilation. Tables must also be placed more than a meter apart or separated by partitions.
Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party will vote on Monday for its new leader, who is expected to replace outgoing Prime Minister Abe Shinzo at the helm of the government. Candidates are seeking as much additional support as possible on Sunday, the last day of campaigning.
The election will be contested by former LDP Secretary-General Ishiba Shigeru, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide and LDP policy chief Kishida Fumio.
Japan's government is set to add Tokyo to the "Go To Travel" domestic tourism campaign on October 1. The travel discount program is aimed at boosting consumer spending.
Trips to and from Tokyo were excluded from the campaign at its launch in July due to an increase in coronavirus cases in the capital at the time.
The Japanese transport minister has revealed a plan to add Tokyo to a domestic travel campaign, "Go To Travel," on October 1.
Akaba Kazuyoshi said the plan is a result of talks with Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide and Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who is also the minister in charge of the coronavirus response.
Two lawmakers have kicked off their campaigns for the leadership of Japan's new main opposition party. It is being created through a merger that includes the two largest opposition groups.
The race is between Izumi Kenta, the policy chief of the Democratic Party for the People, and Edano Yukio, the leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Three lawmakers who are vying to lead Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party are preparing for a party election campaign that starts on Tuesday.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide, LDP policy chief and former foreign minister Kishida Fumio and former LDP secretary-general Ishiba Shigeru stayed in Tokyo on Sunday as a powerful typhoon pounded southwestern Japan. They conducted interviews with media and appealed for support online.