As the government prepares to extend the state of emergency covering the Tokyo region, Japan has applied its strictest border control measures to more countries and left the borders closed for nonresident foreign nationals.

Currently, only Japanese citizens, foreign nationals with valid residency status in Japan and travelers seeking entry in emergencies are granted permission to enter the country.

Japan reimposed a blanket travel ban on new entry by foreign nationals in late December after having confirmed imported infections with new coronavirus strains, which are thought to be more transmissible than conventional strains. Government sources previously said the travel restrictions would likely be rolled back when the state of emergency expires on Sunday, or sooner if the pandemic situation in Japan and abroad improved. But with the government leaning toward extending the emergency order for the Tokyo area beyond March 7, because of the variants and the slowing decline of new infections, the government has pushed back the decision concerning further changes to travel restrictions until further notice.