Japan's businesses are pinning hopes on an inbound tourism recovery with the country having resumed the process of accepting foreign tourists for the first time since suspending it more than two years ago due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While the economic impact of easing border measures may not be so large at first due to the limited number of tourists allowed in, economists said the recent weakening of the yen could encourage visitors to spend more.

Japan resumed the process of welcoming tourists from abroad on Friday within its cap of 20,000 arrivals per day, initially restricted to guided tours from 98 countries and regions presenting the lowest risk of coronavirus infection, including the United States, Britain, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.