TOKYO: The Japanese government Wednesday decided to ease in stages its rules on re-entry by foreign residents who leave the country with permission.

At a meeting of the coronavirus response headquarters, the government also confirmed that it will start talks to resume the travel of business people between Japan and 12 other Asian economies including China, South Korea and Taiwan.

In addition, the government will introduce a system to resume business travel, limited to short stays by small groups, with the United States and European countries.

“It’s important to restart international travel in stages,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the meeting.

So far, Japan has limited the re-entry of foreign residents mainly to permanent residency holders and their spouses.

According to the government, about 90,000 people, including business people and students, will be newly allowed to re-enter Japan.

In the United States and Europe, foreign residents with permanent residency are allowed to re-enter in principle. Some countries have strongly asked Japan to take a similar measure.

The government plans to set additional conditions for re-entry, including taking polymerase chain reaction tests for the coronavirus before departure.

Abe also called for discussions on special measures for entry by athletes and other people related to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.

The remaining economies among the 12 are Cambodia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia and Laos.

Japan is in talks with Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand to ease entry and travel restrictions.

On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said Japan has agreed with Thailand and Vietnam to resume the travel of business people for long stays this month on condition that they go through two weeks of self-isolation at home after their arrival.

JIJI Press