Japan will reintroduce a visa waiver program for short-term visitors, and allow visits by non-escorted individual tourists on Tuesday, as the country lifts most of its COVID-19 border controls.

Japan's tourism industry was booming in pre-pandemic years. Nearly 32 million tourists visited the country in 2019, more than twice the number in 2014. The amount they spent in Japan annually was about 33 billion dollars.

But coronavirus outbreaks prompted the government to ramp up border control measures, forcing international airlines to suspend or reduce flights.

The number of tourists visiting Japan plunged by more than 87 percent from 2019 to 4.1 million in 2020. In 2021, Japan welcomed only 240,000 foreign tourists, down more than 99 percent from 2019.

The government began easing entry restrictions this year. In April, it raised the daily cap on the number of arrivals from 7,000 to 10,000, in response to requests from foreign students and others wishing to visit Japan.

In June, Japan reopened its doors to foreign tourists for the first time in about two years. In addition, the cap on arrivals was raised to 20,000 visitors a day. But visas were limited to those booked on registered package tours and accompanied by guides.

Foreign tourists have been slow to return. In June, 252 people visited Japan. The number increased to 7,903 in July, and 10,826 in August.

Tourism industry officials say western nationals' preference for non-escorted trips may be a factor. The officials also say many are reluctant to go through a cumbersome process to get a visa.

In September, the government again raised the daily cap on arrivals to 50,000, and began allowing in tourists on non-escorted tours.