Japan may ease entry restrictions for medium or long-term visitors

The Japanese government may ease the entry restrictions for foreign travelers which was put in place to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, beginning in October, although the plan would exclude tourists.

Currently, people from 159 countries and regions are denied entry into Japan, but the government is mulling the idea of permitting 1,000 foreigners into the country per day, mainly to accommodate those who intend to stay for three months or longer.

Those such as medical professionals, teachers and others who are qualified for medium or long-term stays will be considered for entry, and increased virus testing facilities will be set up at airports to try and ensure there is no foreign transmission routes of the virus if the restrictions are eased.

Along with taking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, those arriving in Japan will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, government sources said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, the government's top spokesman, said Japan has so far succeeded in partially restarting some travel to and from some foreign countries and said that "serious consideration will be put into easing the restrictions further."