Japan will conduct an experiment using proof of COVID-19 vaccination at professional baseball and soccer stadiums in preparation for easing capacity restrictions, a Cabinet minister said Monday.

The experiment is expected to be conducted in October as Japan sees a steady decline in newly reported coronavirus cases, according to top officials from Nippon Professional Baseball and J-League soccer, who held a meeting with Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of the country's coronavirus response.

Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of coronavirus response, speaks at a meeting with top officials of sports teams in Tokyo on Monday. | KYODO
Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of coronavirus response, speaks at a meeting with top officials of sports teams in Tokyo on Monday. | KYODO