Tom has been in Japan. = he didn't come back Tom has been to Japan.
= he visited (and left) Japan
This expression is used when
the person is not in that place anymore
BUT, please,
GIVE SOME ATTENTION TO THESE CASES
"Have been" ( generally + TO or IN ) has the sense of "visit a place and come back."
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"I've been IN the hospital" = I've BEEN A PATIENT in the hospital."I've been TO the hospital" = I've VISITED the hospital;
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"I've been IN a lot of trouble" = I've been FACING PROBLEMS
"I've been TO a lot of trouble" = I've been MAKING a lot of EFFORT
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sources:
pearsonlongman.com
