Japan to Ease First-Phase Entry Restrictions This Summer for Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Thailand

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government is reportedly planning to ease restrictions on foreign entry, which were imposed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), for some countries soon. The number of daily entrants is expected to be limited to 250.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 11th, the Japanese government is preparing a plan to first allow up to 250 business-related entrants per day from four countries?Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Thailand?starting as early as this summer. Business-related persons include managers, engineers, and technical interns. This plan is expected to be finalized soon at a COVID-19 task force meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Japanese government plans to control the number of entrants by limiting the number of flights. Business-related persons will be required to test negative on a PCR test upon arrival in Japan, and their activities will be restricted by having the related companies provide exclusive transportation. Only by complying with these conditions will they be exempted from the 14-day quarantine period after entering Japan.

Additionally, entrants will be required to submit a negative PCR test certificate before entry and an activity plan including places to be visited within Japan. Furthermore, entrants will be asked to store location information on smartphones or similar devices for 14 days after entry as a precaution. If the number of countries eligible for eased entry restrictions increases, the government is also considering establishing a "Departure PCR Test Center" (tentative name) to accommodate demand.

Earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated at the House of Representatives Budget Committee the previous day, when asked about the first countries for easing entry bans, that "we plan to start with countries where infections have been contained," and added, "China is not being considered as one of those countries." Although South Korea was not mentioned directly, since the Japanese government designated both China and South Korea as entry-restricted countries in March, it appears unlikely that South Korea will be included in the first group for lifting restrictions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.