As Japan prepares to declare a state of emergency in the Tokyo area amid a worsening coronavirus crisis, the government is also considering a general ban on foreign nationals entering the country, including Chinese business travelers.
Restrictions announced on Dec. 26 did not originally cover business visitors and students from 11 countries, CNA reported. The list of East Asian and Southeast Asian regions included mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
However, amid fears of a rapid expansion of coronavirus infections and of the new mutant strain, the Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday that the government of Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is considering barring all foreign citizens as long as the state of emergency for Tokyo, which starts Jan. 7, remains in force.
If implemented, the updated ban would not cover foreigners with valid residence permits and special humanitarian cases. A total of 66,000 foreign nationals entered Japan in November, UDN reported.
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