Japan to ease COVID-19 re-entry curbs on foreigners with resident visas: NHK

Japan plans to ease its COVID-19 entry restrictions on foreign nationals with resident visas starting next month, public broadcaster NHK reported, after an outcry over the emotional and economic hardship that the measures are inflicting.

Re-entry will be permitted for visa holders, including permanent residents and exchange students, on condition that they undergo coronavirus testing and quarantine for 14 days, the same policy that applies to Japanese citizens re-entering the country, NHK reported on Friday (Aug 21).

A consular official with Japan's foreign ministry said there was "no decision yet" on easing border restrictions.

Japan's travel curbs to battle the pandemic are among the world's strictest, effectively banning entry with few exceptions of not only tourists but long-term visa holders from more than 140 countries.

That means many permanent and other long-term residents who have made Japan their home remain stuck outside the country, unable to carry on with their livelihoods and suffering enormous financial pain as bills pile up.

NHK said the government had received "many opinions" calling on it to relax the restrictions for the resumption of social and economic activities.

Ref: reuters