Feb 18 (NHK) - Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced changes to coronavirus measures, as the spread of the Omicron variant appears to be slowing.
The changes will impact businesses in parts of the country, and some of the rules at the Japanese border. Kishida says the country remains on a gradual path back to normal.
The prime minister said, "We should move step by step towards the exit of the sixth wave of infections, while maintaining our basic strategy against the coronavirus and staying vigilant. We should gradually prepare ourselves to move to the next phase."
Kishida said the government will lift a quasi-state of emergency in some areas where the public health situation is stable to return to normal social and economic activities.
It is currently in place in 36 prefectures.
The government plans to lift the measures in 5 prefectures on Sunday as scheduled. It will extend it in 17 other prefectures until March 6.
The formal decision is expected on Friday, after government officials consult with health experts.
The quasi emergency allows local governments to take targeted anti-infection measures, including asking bars and restaurants to close early.
Meanwhile, the prime minister also announced that Japan will gradually relax its border controls from March.
The current restrictions effectively ban new entry to foreigners.
Kishida said, "We will allow new entry of foreigners, excluding tourists, under the supervision of a person or an organization which is responsible for the visit. We will also raise the cap on the number of entries from the current 3,500 to 5,000. We will gradually increase international travel to and from Japan, while considering the number of Japanese nationals who also need to come back."
Academics and business leaders have been urging the government to ease the rigid border controls. Nearly 150,000 people have been unable to come to Japan to study, and many have been waiting for up to two years.
Authorities across Japan confirmed more than 95,000 new infections on Thursday, down more than 4,000 from a week ago.
