Japan will start allowing re-entry of foreigners starting September 1. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday. It aims to rebuild an economy hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“From September 1, we will allow foreigners with proper visas to re-enter after leaving the country, on condition that they take additional measures to prevent infection,” Abe said.
The policy will “allow those who are currently in countries on which Japan has imposed an entry ban to re-enter,” he added.
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Japan was heavily criticized after implementing a strict border policy to mitigate the spread of the infection. Therefore, it has kept out most non-citizens, even those with long-term residency.
Still, with the lifting of the ban, Abe said it will be implemented alongside measures to keep coronavirus at bay.
This development came after news about the prime minister stepping down over health concerns came to light.
Japan has also been affected by COVID-19, but it has been hit less hard than most advanced economies. The country recorded just over 65,000 cases and around 1,200 deaths as of the time of posting.
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