TOKYO (JAPAN) – Japanese daily Yomiuri carried a report on Thursday saying the government will ease curbs on business travellers for stays extending up to three days in a bid to bolster the economy. This comes after overseas visits were stalled because of the spread of the pandemic.
The Yoshihide Suga-led government is mulling lifting of curbs for visitors from 30 countries and regions with which Japan has strong business connections and the list includes China, South Korea and Taiwan, said the report.
Yomiuri said the changes will come into effect next month.
The government is contemplating slowly opening its frontiers to overseas visitors, starting with business travellers. The country was forced to impose one of the strictest curbs in the world to stem the spread of the virus.
It has also reached a deal with 10 countries and regions to allow entry to long-term visa holders and another three for short-term stays extending up to a month. They are all reciprocal, but the latest plan concerns only entrants to Japan, said the report.
Business travellers have to take a coronavirus test and avoid public transportation. They will also have to submit an itinerary of their activities in the country. However, they have been exempted from quarantine in their hotels.