Thailand, Singapore tourists jump in line as Japan opens borders

Southeast Asia travel industry eyes recovery with weak yen fueling strong demand

20221025N Thai AirAsia

Thai Air Asia's reservations for flights to Japan are on the rise ahead of the holiday season. © Reuters

TARO SAEKI, YOHEI MURAMATSU and YUICHI SHIGA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO/BANGKOK/MANILA -- With Japan fully reopening its borders this month, Southeast Asian airlines and travel agencies are preparing to meet surging demand from tourists eager to visit for the first time in years.

Thai AirAsia, an affiliate of AirAsia's Malaysian parent Capital A, began flying between Bangkok and Fukuoka on Oct. 12, after Japan lifted nearly all of its COVID-19 travel curbs.

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