TOKYO – Japan plans to phase out foreign alerts in October to encourage the removal of access restrictions in other countries, Nikkei has learned.
The government will prioritize 10 countries and regions with a low number of new coronavirus infections, adding Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam, but the resolution on whether to settle for Japan’s travelers in the end will depend on governments.
Japan has issued travel recommendations and warnings for COVID-19 in infectious diseases through a formula that has 4 categories based on potential threats and protection at affected sites. Each precautionary point does not legally require Japanese citizens to travel, the host country has the force to settle for or refuse entry.
On Monday, Japan placed 159 countries and regions, adding China and the United States, to item “3”, urging Japanese citizens to travel to those regions for any reason.
Starting next month, Japan will reduce its warning point to “2” for countries with few infections relative to the general population in more than two weeks. Level 2 advises Japanese citizens to travel non-essential. Australia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Brunei and Belgium will likely be included in the list, however, it will take about 40 weeks for it to return to Japan.
It will be the first time Japan has lowered its caution amid the pandemic. As of Monday, 109 countries and regions imposed restrictions on access for people in Japan. Some of these countries have implemented their access bans in reaction to Japan’s caution. The government intends to raise its caution to inspire these countries and regions to remove their restrictions to resume mutual economic activity.
Meanwhile, Japan is also making progress in negotiations with 16 countries and regions, adding China, Vietnam and Taiwan, to resume business. The government that relaxes its caution can also help succeed in the agreements in those negotiations.
Starting October 1, the government will allow foreigners with permission to remain in the country for more than 3 months. Flexibilization can also lead other countries to start accepting travelers from Japan.
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