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日本語 
While a lot of pandemic-related jargon has turned into common buzzwords, it’s still important for anyone to learn Japanese COVID-19 vocabulary.
By December 2021, there are 500 confirmed infections with the Omicron virus. Local governments has since planned to speed up booster shot campaigns in an attempt to curb out the spread of the new coronavirus variant. Booster vaccines will use Pfizer were supplied by the central government in November and December last year.
As of October 1, the Japanese government has fully lifted its COVID-19 state of emergency following a substantial decrease in newly infected cases nationwide. The country is looking to loosen border enforcement in hopes to resume international travel and business operations.
Meanwhile, plans to ease cross-border restrictions have been suspended. On November 29, 2021, Japan has strengthened its border measures to prevent the Omicron spread, with quarantine requirements re-extended back to 14 days.
For those living in Japan or planning to enter the country, check out some of essential coronavirus-related vocabulary.
What we know about Japan’s COVID-19 travel restrictions so far
Coronavirus-related measures are subject to change due to the constant updating of information. It is essential that you always check for updates and the latest guidance from the official government website.
For details about the test certificate requirements, please see the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Issued vaccination passports in Japan
In July, Japan’s local wards have begun accepting applications for COVID-19 vaccine certificates (also referred to as “vaccination passports”) for Japanese residents. The passport enables people to cut down their lengthy quarantine days. Depending on the destination, they can even travel without any quarantine requirements.
Only people who are fully vaccinated may apply for vaccine passports. Certificates are processed for free by your local municipal office
Currently, the issued vaccination certificate is only available in paper format. The Japanese government is planning to introduce a digital application system and online vaccine passports by the end of this year.
As of October 2021, 46 countries and regions have agreed to relax entry measures for vaccine passport holders traveling from Japan. To find out which countries accept vaccination certificates, visit the website of the Ministry and Foreign Affairs.
Where and how to apply vaccination passports in Japan
You can receive for COVID-19 vaccine passport by submitting an application via post, in-person or online (depending on your local wards). The vaccine passport application form can be downloaded from the official website.
Any of the methods made by your local ward will still require the following documents:
- vaccine passport application form
- proof of vaccination
- copy of your passport
- copy of your vaccination coupon
Scroll down for vaccine-related Japanese vocabulary.
COVID-19 measures for cross-border travel to Japan
While ease in entry restrictions begin to take into effect, the Japanese government is still taking measures for inbound travelers. Regardless of your vaccination history, status and nationality, you will need to do the following.
- Submission of negative PCR test certificate 72 hours before scheduled departure time
- Individual written pledge
- Submission of questionnare
- Submission of coronavirus vaccine certificate (if available)
Quarantine measures in Japan
Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow up on updates on border enforcement.
Essential COVID-19 vocabulary in Japanese
Once you’ve passed the borders (congratulations!), you’ll be exposed to a series of now-common coronavirus terms and phrases. You’ll be hearing them everywhere, from train announcements to local news. No matter your Japanese level, it’s worth checking these terms before heading deep into the country.
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Omicron strain | オミクロン株 | Omikuron kabu |
| Sympton | 症状 | Shoujou |
| Asymptomatic person | 無症状者 | Mushoujousha |
| Novel coronavirus | 新型コロナウイルス | Shingata korona uirusu |
| Infected person | 感染者 | Kansensha |
| Infection spread | 感染拡大 | Kansen kakudai |
| Infection prevention | 感染予防 | Kansen yobou |
| Social distancing | 社会距離戦略 | Shakai kyori senryaku |
| Social distancing | ソーシャルディスタンス | Sosharu disutansu |
| Wear a mask | マスク着用 | masuku chakuyo |
| Close-contact person | 濃厚接触者 | Noko sesshokusha |
| Immunity | 免疫 | Meneki |
| Mild case | 軽症 | Keisho |
| Serious case | 重症 | Jyusho |
Japanese COVID-19 vocabulary for PCR tests and questionnaires
Regardless if you’re on a short business trip from overseas or coming into Japan as an international student, you may be asked to take the PCR test (検査) and fill out an inspection questionnaire. Here are some trickier words you’ll likely encounter at the airport.
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| PCR Test | PCR検査 | PCR kensa |
| Inspection Certificate | 検査証明 | Kensa shomei |
| Test result date | 結果判明日 | Kekka hanmei-bi |
| Testing method | 検査法 | Kensa-ho |
| Nucleic acid amplification test | 核酸増幅検査 | Kakusan zofuku kensa |
| Next-generation sequence | 次世代シーケンス法 | Jisedai shikensu-ho |
| Quantitative antigen test | 抗原定量検査 | Kogen teiryo kensa |
| Collected sample | 採取検体 | Saishu kentai |
| Nasopharyngeal (nose) swab | 鼻咽頭ぬぐい液 | Hana into nugui-eki |
| Oropharyngeal (throat) swab | 咽頭ぬぐい液の混合 | Into nugui-eki no kongo |
| Saliva | 唾液 | Daeki |
| Result | 結果 | Kekka |
| Tested positive | 陽性 | Yousei |
| Tested negative | 陰性 | Insei |
| Test result date | 結果判明日 | Kekka hanmei-bi |
| Date and time of sample collection | 検体採取日時 | Kentai saishu nichiji |
| Name of medical institution | 医療機関名 | Iryo kikan-mei |
| Doctor’s name/signature | 医師名 | Ishimei |
| Antigen* | 抗原検査 | Kogen kensa |
| Rapid antigen* | 迅速抗原検査 | Jinsoku kogen kensa |
| Antibody* | 抗体検査 | Kotai kensa |
*Not valid tests in Japan
Other Japanese words to keep in mind when filling out forms
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| Full name | 氏名 | Shimei |
| Nationality | 国籍 | Kokuseki |
| Passport number | パスポート番号 | Pasupoto bango |
| Date of birth | 生年月日 | Seinengappi |
| Sex | 性別 | Seibetsu |
| Date of issue | 交付年月日 | Kofu nengappi |
| Address | 住所 | Jusho |
| Remarks | 備考 | Biko |
Click here to download an example of the certificate of testing for COVID-19.
Important Japanese words related to travel restrictions and COVID-19 measures
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| Quarantine | 検疫 | Keneki |
| Travel history | 渡航歴 | Tokoreki |
| Travel ban | 渡航禁止 | Toko kinshi |
| No entry | 入国不可 | Nyukoku fuka |
| Home confinement/Stay at home | 自宅待機 | Jitaku taiki |
| Entry ban | 入国拒否 | Nyukoku kyohi |
| Entry restrictions | 入国制限 | Nyukoku seigen |
| Overseas travel | 海外渡航 | Kaigai toko |
Japanese COVID-19 vocabulary on vaccines and vaccination passports
Whether it’s issued in or outside Japan, you may hear some of these vaccine-related Japanese words. Current Japanese vaccine certificates are provided in both English and Japanese — but what happens if an immigration officer directly asked for your ワクチン接種証明?
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| Booster shots | 追加接種 | Tsuika sesshu |
| Vaccination | ワクチン接種 | Wakuchin sesshu |
| Occupational vaccine | 職域接種 | Shokuiki sesshu |
| Vaccination ticket | 接種券 | Sesshu-ken |
| Vaccination certificate | ワクチン接種証明 | Wakuchin sesshu shoumei |
| Pharmaceutical company | 製薬会社 | Seiyakukaisha |
| Medical certificate | 診断書 | Shindansho |
| Application | 申請 | Shinsei |
| Vaccination record | ワクチン接種記録書 | Wakuchin sesshu kiroku-sho |
| First dose | 1回目接種 | Ikkaime sesshu |
| Second dose | 2回目接種 | Nikaime sesshu |
| Vaccine type | ワクチン種類 | Wakuchin shurui |
| Manufacturer | メーカー | Meka |
| Product name | 製品名 | Seihinmei |
| Lot/serial number | 製造番号 | Seizo bango |
| Country of vaccination | 接種国 | Sesshu-koku |
| Certificate issuance authority | 証明書発行社 | Shomeisho hakkosha |
| Certificate ID | 証明書ID | Shomeisho ID |
| Certificate issue date | 証明証発行年月日 | Shomeisho hakko nengappi |
To find out which countries accept vaccination certificates, visit the website of the Ministry and Foreign Affairs.
