Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday that the government is considering easing Japan's tight entry restrictions for nonresident foreign nationals, with local media reporting that an announcement could be made as early as next week.
"We will take into account the scientific knowledge we've gained about the omicron variant and changes in the infection situation both at home and abroad, as well as immigration measures in place by other countries," Kishida told reporters during a visit to Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
Kishida's remarks came after the Nikkei business daily reported hours earlier that Japan was set to ease the restrictions, gradually allowing in more business travelers and students, after mounting frustration over the stringent curbs.