The government is preparing to reopen the country to first-time visitors who plan to stay three months or longer, in an effort to jump start an economy that has stagnated during the coronavirus pandemic.
Entrants will be limited to a maximum of approximately 1,000 people per day to prevent infections. The plan is scheduled to go into effect from early October at the earliest.
Foreign students will be allowed to enter the country. However, limitations on short-term visitors, such as tourists, will still apply.
The government plans to make a final decision in the near future at a National Security Council meeting after assessing the rates of infection in each country.
Various conditions will apply. Visitors must have confirmation of negative results from two PCR tests, one before departure and another upon arrival. People must also quarantine for 14 days at a hotel or other location after arrival. Finally, admittance from a country will be temporarily suspended if a visitor from that country is found to be infected after entering Japan.
Japan currently prohibits first-time foreign visitors in principle. However, to resume the flow of people, the government is negotiating with 16 countries and regions where the coronavirus is relatively under control. International travel for business purposes has partially resumed with eight countries and regions, including Vietnam and Thailand.
-- China relaxes immigration procedures
BEIJING -- The Chinese government announced Wednesday that foreign nationals with a valid residence permit will be exempt from applying for a visa needed to reenter the country.
The policy is intended to encourage foreign businesspeople who temporarily evacuated due to the coronavirus to return to China and help boost the economy. It is scheduled to take effect on Monday.
Since August, Chinese authorities have allowed foreign nationals -- from Japan, South Korea and other countries -- with residence permits to enter the country on condition that they apply for a visa. As of Monday, they will be able to enter and leave China freely as long as they possess a residence permit.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
