Japan may include South Korea among select other nationals to allow exceptional 72-hour stay in the country to help normalize business activities amid protracted pandemic crisis.

Citing multiple officials from the Japanese government, Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Thursday that Japan is considering loosening entry restrictions on business travelers.

The newspaper also noted that the measures to allow businesspeople short-term stay in Japan come as Korea and Japan have not yet finalized their bilateral talks on easing entry restrictions for business travelers.

The exceptional business stay could be allowed to nationals from countries like Korea, China and Taiwan that managed to contain virus spread plus the United States and India regardless of the virus containment.

The three-day visitors must receive the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test before entry. They also must not use public transportation after entry and will be banned from visiting crowded locations. They will have to submit an activity plan that states anticipated itinerary after entry, according to the report.

Currently, short-term business travelers from Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam are allowed entry under condition that they receive PCR test. Japan is expected to agree on similar terms with China this month.

They are allowed for a month’s stay and can travel back and forth. But the additional exemption would allow shorter stay and for single stop to Japan.

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By Chung Wook and Lee Eun-joo

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]