Japan is hoping to boost domestic travel just as COVID border controls are lifted. The government has launched a nationwide discount campaign to kickstart tourism for people living in the country.

Japanese Tourism Minister Saito Tetsuo says, "I think today marks the start of a big turning point for the tourism industry."

The new program will run from Tuesday to late December in all prefectures except for Tokyo, where it will go from October 20 to December 20.

The campaign offers people who meet certain requirements a 40-percent discount on travel costs.

The amount tops out at 8,000 yen or about 55 dollars per person per night for packages including public transportation. The maximum subsidy for accommodations only and for day trips is about 34 dollars.

Domestic travelers will also get a shopping coupon worth from about 7 to 20 dollars per person per night. The lower amount is for weekend trips.

People in the tourism industry are counting on the program and the lifting of most border controls to boost demand.