AMN/ WEB DESK

Japan will gradually relax its border controls and allow limited number of foreign students and business travelers to enter the country from March. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a news conference yesterday,that they will allow new entry of foreigners, excluding tourists.

The decision has been widely appreciated across the spectrum but the current restrictions effectively ban new entry to foreigners. Nearly 150,000 people have been unable to come to Japan to study, and many have been waiting for up to two years.

Among other Asian countries, Singapore, plans to allow more business and social activity, as well as more inbound travelers to push its economic reopening and recovery in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, South Korean government has loosened social distancing rules, letting cafes and restaurants open for one more hour from next week.