Japan likely to re-open borders to entrepreneurs from Australia, Vietnam

Japan is considering re-opening its borders to entrepreneurs from selected countries, including Australia and Vietnam, which have low levels of COVID-19 infections, as the nation begins to ease restrictions put in place earlier this year to control the outbreaks, according to Australian Associated Press (AAP).

The departure lobby at the Haneda International Airport of Japan

AAP quoted Japanese media as saying that the Japanese government is planning to allow business travellers from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand into the country in the coming months.

According to the Asahi Shimbun daily, the Japanese government is considering allowing business travelers from the four countries to enter if they test negative for coronavirus in two separate tests conducted upon departure from their home country and arrival in Japan.

After entering Japan, visitors' movements would be restricted to areas including place of stay, company offices and factories. They would be banned from using public transportation.

Along with Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and have strong trade ties with Japan.

According to the World Health Organization, the Southeast Asian region accounts for just 4.4 percent of global COVID-19 infections, much lower than America or Europe, which each make up roughly 40 percent./.

VNA