Japan has decided to Ease Entry Restrictions for International Students

On Saturday, Kyodo cited government sources said that “Japan has decided to ease entry restrictions for international students, to curb the novel coronavirus”. Besides, Japan plans to lift the re-entry ban on foreign nationals holding resident status as early as next month, according to the sources.

For those sponsored by the Japanese government, the restrictions for international students will be eased first, and relaxation is expected to be extended to self-supporting international students later.

All foreigners will be required to take polymerase chain reaction tests and prove that when entering Japan they are not infected with the virus, the sources said, adding that they will also be asked to remain in self-isolation for two weeks to monitor their health.

Japan is refusing entry from 146 countries and regions at present. The denial of re-entry for those with resident status has drawn unusually strong criticism from the expatriate community of the country, as it effectively prevents them from travelling and returning abroad.

Many other countries that have imposed travel bans don’t discriminate in granting re-entry between citizens and foreign residents. Usually, most international students come to Japan in the spring and fall, when the country’s school calendar starts.

In addition to foreign residents, who are allowed to re-enter Japan under certain conditions, so far, the relaxation of the restrictions has applied only to those on business trips.

Recently, the Japanese government decided to accept travellers from 16 countries, including Thailand and Vietnam, for business.

About 1,000 additional coronavirus cases were reported across the country on Saturday, of which 256 were confirmed in Tokyo, exceeding 200 for the third straight day, 134 in Osaka Prefecture and 101 in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The countrywide cumulative total now tops 62,500, including some 700 from the cruise ship Diamond Princess, which was quarantined in February at Yokohama.

The government of Tokyo’s pandemic alert remains at the highest of four levels, meaning “spreading infections.” However, some health experts have suggested that a resurgence of infections already reached its peak late July.

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