Society

Japan may let in up to 250 business travelers

Jun 11 (NHK) - Japan is planning to start allowing the entry of up to 250 business people a day from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand this summer.

Since early this year, Japan has denied entry to visitors from more than 100 countries and territories because of the pandemic.

Japan is now in talks with Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand about easing the entry ban, now that those countries have brought the coronavirus mostly under control.

If Japan lifts the entry ban for business travelers from those four countries, Japan is planning to ask them to undergo PCR coronavirus tests before departing for Japan to prove they are negative. They will be tested again at airport quarantine when they arrive.

Japan may waive a mandatory two-week self-quarantine period for those business travelers who present in advance a plan for their stay in Japan.

Japanese business people visiting other countries in the future are likely to be required to present proof that they have tested negative for the coronavirus.

The Japanese government is planning to set up PCR test centers to meet an expected increase in demand for testing among business travelers.

The Japanese government said that some officials in Australia and New Zealand are saying it may still be too early to allow entry of Japanese travelers.

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