Japan will lift its entry ban on foreign travelers from Vietnam and eight other countries and territories from November for non-tourist purposes, according to the Japanese government. 

Illustrative photo. Source: Kyodo News

Vietnam became the third country Japan has resumed travel with for people on short-term business trips, following Singapore and South Korea.

According to Kyodo News, the decision was announced at a meeting of the government's coronavirus response task force presided over by the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

It is the first time Japan has lifted its entry ban on any country or region since it began putting parts of China, including Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected, on the list in early February.

Japan, however, continues to suspend visa waiver agreements with other countries and limit the issuance of new visas, meaning that, in most cases, tourists will still not be allowed to enter.

In addition, Japan will ease its requirement for Japanese nationals and foreign residents returning from overseas trips to undergo a 14-day quarantine period, also from November 1.

PM Suga said the move was aimed at facilitating business activity, albeit on a limited scale, adding that his government would “prevent an explosive rise in infections at all costs”, while leading the world's third-largest economy toward recovery.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced the lowering of the travel advisories in a press conference on October 30, requesting citizens to avoid nonessential trips abroad, whereas the ministry had previously warned against all travel, according to Japanese media.

Mr. Motegi also said Japan and Vietnam have agreed to restart reciprocal business travel from November 1. With the resumption, travelers will no longer need to observe a 14-day quarantine period upon arrival, provided they take similar preventative measures outlined in the exemption for Japanese nationals and foreign residents.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this agreement is aimed at facilitating investment, trade, high-tech labor, diplomacy, public services of the two countries’ citizens without putting them under mass isolation. The authorities of Vietnam and Japan will specifically give guidance on the subjects, conditions, principles and steps to implement the short-term travel protocol between the two sides.