TOKYO, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minster Yoshihide Suga said on Friday that the government will ease entry restrictions into the country for foreigners from October, although the plan would exclude tourists.
"To revitalize the economy, it is indispensable to resume international travel," Suga said at a meeting of the government's task force on the coronavirus response.
Those such as foreign medical professionals, teachers and others who are qualified for medium or long-term stays for three months or longer will be allowed entry, the government decided, with those traveling for business purposes for less than three months also being eligible.
Eligible travelers will have to test negative for COVID-19 before entering Japan and upon arrival in Japan, their sponsors, such as companies or organizations, which support them, will be expected to ensure their self-isolation for 14 days, during which time they will not be allowed to use public transport.
The government is considering permitting 1,000 foreigners into the country per day, mainly to accommodate those who intend to stay for three months or longer.
"We will start relaxing entry restrictions by looking at the situation of infections in each country and also considering the degree of need for travel," economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is also in charge of the response to the coronavirus, told a press briefing.
Currently, people from 159 countries and regions are denied entry to the country, but Japan has steadily been easing its entry restrictions.
Foreigners with Japanese resident status who had been overseas have been allowed to re-enter the county since last month.
Expatriates and other long-term residents from some Asian countries and regions have also been allowed into the country.
These include Vietnam, Thailand and seven other economies with which reciprocal agreements have been made.
The Japanese government said Friday it has also made similar reciprocal agreements with Singapore and Brunei.
Newly arriving expatriates and other long-term residents from Singapore will be allowed entry from Wednesday and those from Brunei from Oct. 8, the foreign ministry said. Enditem
