Japan plans to ease COVID 19-related border restrictions and lift its entry ban for foreign nationals from 106 countries, such as the United States, Britain, France, etc.

On Wednesday, the foreign ministry said that foreigners from the 106 countries would not be denied to enter Japan from Friday. However, foreigners with tourist purposes were still not allowed into the country. The ban was initially put in place in December 2021 due to the Omicron variant and barred all foreigners in 159 countries in the last 14 days from entry.

Another government statement said that after the planned lifting, Japan will still keep its doors closed to 56 countries.