TOKYO: Four groups of about 150 pilgrims have left Tokyo for the Hajj in Makkah — the first residents and nationals from the Asian nation heading to perform the pilgrimage since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the pilgrims are residents of Japan who come from Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and other Asian countries. Some Japanese nationals were also traveling with the groups to perform Hajj. Most of the pilgrims left Tokyo on Saturday and Sunday, with the final group set to leave on Monday. They were booked on Emirates and Qatar airlines. Most of the pilgrims are young people and several told Arab News Japan that they were happy to finally perform the pilgrimage. The biggest travel firm in Japan, H.I.S. Co., handled most of the arrangements.