Japan considers easing ban on entry from four APAC countries
Japan is eyeing to ease its entry ban on visitors from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand currently set up in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, a government source said on June 1.
Infections have subsided in those countries, that have strong business ties with Japan. Lifting the ban for business visitors has been eyed as an initial step and Tokyo will negotiate conditions with the four nations, in line with the source.
As of June 1, Japan has imposed entry bans on 111 countries and regions like the United States, almost all of Asia and most of Europe. The bans are in effect until the end of June.
The first easing might take place this summer following the government computes details and makes arrangements with the four APAC countries. Japan is considering allowing entry of foreigners from the countries who've documentation for testing negative for the virus, based on the source.
Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand are among the 11 members of a revised Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact that Japan can be part of. Thailand, which really wants to join the multilateral framework, hosts many Japanese companies, including automakers.
Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary said that while Japan remains vigilant against the global spread of the coronavirus, additionally it is important to start out considering how exactly to resume international travel.
"In terms of how exactly we can resume international travel partially or in stages, we need to carefully consider which countries and who (will be targeted) and necessary procedures," Suga said at a press conference.
"The government will comprehensively make a judgment at the correct time," the most notable government spokesman said.
Japan and Vietnam agreed on June 1 to carry consultations over the potential resumption of travel between your two nations while keeping necessary steps set up against the novel coronavirus, based on the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
The agreement was made during a telephone conversation between Toshimitsu Motegi, Foreign Minister of Japan and Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam.
The number of travellers to Japan has plunged in recent months amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Beneath the current border control measures, foreigners, including some of these with residency in Japan, who've been to countries on the entry ban list within 2 weeks of their arrival in Japan will be turned away.
A 14-day quarantine period pertains to all travellers to Japan, including Japanese nationals, who are granted entry.
Japan has so far avoided an explosive surge in coronavirus infections and fully lifted the other day circumstances of emergency that was initially declared on April 7 and covered all 47 prefectures at one point.
The finish of the virus emergency has opened just how for a gradual reopening of the economy but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he'll carefully review the travel bans.
