Japan announced on Friday an easing of restrictions on its borders linked to the pandemic, which will particularly affect business visas and foreign students, but not tourists at this stage.
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As of Monday, the quarantine period will be reduced to three days (against a minimum of 10 days previously) for holders of vaccinated business visas who will however have to comply with certain rules.
In addition, tens of thousands of foreign students and interns will be able to return to Japan, but this process will be gradual and framed by very strict health protocols.
370,000 visa holders waiting to enter Japan
Seiji Kihara, deputy secretary general of the government, justified these arrangements by "a wider deployment of vaccination" and "a request for more flexible border control from the business community".
This announcement comes less than a week after the government coalition's clear victory in the legislative elections of October 31 in Japan and when the number of coronavirus infections has dropped drastically (some 200 new cases on average daily, against more than 25,000 in August) and that more than 73% of the inhabitants are vaccinated with two doses.
Although it quickly closed its borders, Japan has never imposed strict containment on its population, mainly reducing the opening hours of bars and restaurants, as well as the sale of alcohol.
The number of Covid-19 deaths has been relatively small compared to many other countries: around 18,300 deaths since the start of 2020).
According to Japanese media reports, around 370,000 visa holders are waiting to enter Japan and will be allowed to do so gradually as part of the easing announced on Friday.
Business travelers will be the responsibility of their company while in Japan and will be required to provide business plans for each visit, the foreign ministry said.
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No indication has been given as to when foreign tourists might be allowed to reenter Japan.
Japan welcomed a record 31.9 million foreign visitors in 2019 and was on track to meet its goal of 40 million in 2020, ahead of the pandemic.
