China and South Korea have consulted Japan about easing entry restrictions for business travelers who have tested negative for the coronavirus, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. The Japanese government has expressed caution, however, fearing such a move could lead to another spike in infections in the country.
China and South Korea this month began accepting visitors traveling between the countries for business purposes on the condition that visitors are tested for the virus.
Travelers are required to take polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests before departure and have documents confirming they have tested negative for the virus. Entry to the country will be permitted only if travelers test negative again upon arrival at their destination. Travelers are not required to self-isolate for 14 days, among other restrictions.
The two countries have approached Japan about easing entry restrictions under similar conditions to enable the gradual resumption of travel between the nations and normalization of economic activities, according to sources.
Japan currently has entry bans covering foreign travelers from 100 countries and regions, including China and South Korea.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Friday said at a press conference that the entry restrictions should be "urgently eased first for such people as business travelers and experts." But he expressed caution about a hasty easing of restrictions: "First of all, it is necessary to contain the spread of infections in Japan."
The problem is not enough PCR tests are being conducted in Japan, and the country currently lacks the capacity to test business travelers and overseas visitors.
"It is difficult to relax entry restrictions on overseas travelers while some parts of Japan are still under a state of emergency," a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
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