Japan PM Kishida mulls easing COVID-19 border controls

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida | Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun via The Japan News/Asia News Network

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida | Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun via The Japan News/Asia News Network

TOKYO — Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday that he is considering “a policy direction for relaxing border controls” on entry into Japan, which were imposed to prevent an increased spread of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

His remark indicated that the current measures, which suspend entries by nonresident foreigners in principle, will be reviewed. Kishida made the remark while answering questions from reporters in Tokyo.

The government has taken a stance of maintaining the framework of the current border control measures, including the suspension of new entries by foreigners, until the end of February.

Kishida did not mention when the relaxation would begin. He briefly said, “About the timing, I want to seriously consider how it will have to be in the midst of this changing situation.”

RELATED STORIES

Japan considering further border controls as Omicron spreads–PM Kishida

Calls grow for Japan to ease border restrictions

Japan eases COVID-19 border curbs, trails major partners

Japan’s doors remain closed to most foreign students

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link .

Read more...