A foreign cruise ship has made a port call in Japan for the first time since entry rules were eased.

Japan had not accepted international cruise ships since a coronavirus outbreak on the Diamond Princess three years ago.

Last September, the government decided to reopen ports that are ready to take in cruise ship passengers.

The Amadea, operated by a German company, arrived at Shimizu Port in Shizuoka City, central Japan, on Wednesday.

A group of Japanese drum performers greeted the vessel.
When the ship was moored, quarantine officials went on board to check the passengers' health and vaccination certificates.

The passengers then underwent immigration procedures on land before heading to their destinations.

A tourist from Germany who had been to Tokyo and Okinawa but was visiting Shizuoka for the first time expressed hope of seeing Mount Fuji. The person also showed interest in Japanese tofu, or bean curd.

Shizuoka City official Kubota Tetsufumi said he expects to see more foreign tourists, and that although he is still worried about infection, he will do his best to prevent it.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu told reporters on Wednesday that cruise ships give an economic boost to places where they make port calls.

He said the central government with continue to work with local governments to enable passengers to enjoy their cruises, while taking measures to prevent infection.