TOKYO: Japan and South Korea agreed Friday to hold a policy dialogue on export controls via a video conference on Tuesday, the Japanese trade ministry said.

The dialogue was slated to take place in Seoul.

The change came after Japan moved to tighten its entry restrictions on travelers from South Korea to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

The tighter restrictions make it difficult for Japanese officials to return home from a trip to Seoul.

On Thursday, Japan announced a decision to quarantine travelers from South Korea and China for two weeks starting on Monday. On Friday, South Korea said it will suspend its short-term visa wavers for Japan.

Japan strengthened its controls on exports to South Korea last summer.

The focal point of the dialogue will be whether the two sides can reach a compromise to enable Tokyo to lift the export controls. A similar dialogue last took place in December.

JIJI Press