Like many foreign residents in Japan, Luan Yong Jie from China had found it difficult to make a reservation for a COVID-19 vaccination — a process that can be daunting even for a Japanese person — because of his limited Japanese ability.

But on Wednesday, the 35-year-old got his first shot at a Tokyo vaccination center that opened on Wednesday specifically for foreign residents who face a language barrier.

“I’m happy now,” Luan said in Japanese after receiving a shot. “I can speak Japanese a little, but I couldn’t make reservations by phone or online at all. I came here because I am able to speak Chinese here.”