TOKYO: Japan's government will allow travel to the country by long-term expatriates and others staying overseas for a long period, as well as by people on short business trips abroad, under a basic plan compiled Thursday to ease its border controls in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

The border control easing plan was compiled by the government's coronavirus response headquarters.

The government will seek to speed up discussions with Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand, the first batch of countries from which Japan plans to accept visitors.

According to the basic plan, people taking overseas business trips of up to two weeks will be required to take polymerase chain reaction tests for possible coronavirus infection right before departure and after arrival, submit schedules of their activities after their return home and record their movements using a smartphone app.

After coming back to Japan, they will be banned from using public transport, and their travel will be limited in principle to between their workplaces and the facilities where they are staying.

Expatriates staying abroad for a long period, as well as foreign technical trainees, will be subject to the same border control measures as those for Japanese nationals returning from abroad. These travelers will be asked to stay at their homes or designated facilities for two weeks after entering Japan.

For the time being, arrival in Japan will be limited to Tokyo International Airport at Haneda, Narita International Airport near Tokyo, and Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, for both people entering the country after short and long stays abroad. 

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has already agreed with his counterparts from Vietnam, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia to launch talks on the eased measures.

JIJI Press