Japan business community seeks further relaxation of border controls

A see about COVID-19 safety measures is pictured next to closed doors at a departure corridor of Narita global airport on the first day of shut borders to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus Omicron variant in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan, November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO, June 10 (Reuters) – Japan’s company group issued a joint assertion on Friday trying to get further peace of border controls, as the nation commences a gradual easing of COVID-19 vacation constraints.

The statement by domestic business enterprise lobby Keidanren and overseas chambers of commerce urged even further easing to “facilitate an natural environment in which men and women, merchandise, funds and digital technologies can transfer freely”.

Japan commenced a phased reopening to travellers on Friday soon after a far more than two-yr ban. But the visitors should be element of packaged tours accompanied by guides at all moments to guarantee compliance with infection controls. read more

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged previous month to deliver Japan’s border measures, among the strictest in the earth all through the pandemic, far more in line with other wealthy democracies. read a lot more

The joint assertion, signed on to by United States and European business lobbies, urged Japan to restore visa waiver eligibility for its Groups of 7 investing associates.

The group also advocated for a quick return to personal tourist vacation, relaxation of COVID screening at airports, and a lifting of the daily cap of intercontinental arrivals.

Reporting by Rocky Swift Enhancing by Himani Sarkar and Stephen Coates

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