Japan is preparing to gradually ease its entry restrictions on foreign visitors, with business travelers and researchers being the first to get the green light.
No timeframe has yet been set; determinations will be based not only on Japan containing the virus but on how well other countries and territories have doused the coronavirus threat.
Taiwan, Vietnam and some parts of Europe that have had few infections and have strong economic ties with Japan will be early candidates.
Besides approving visitors from certain regions, Japan's government is considering a three-stage process. After businesspeople and researchers would come international students, with tourists last in line.
On Thursday, Japan's government decided to lift the state of emergency for Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures.
Tokyo remains under the decree, as do four other prefectures.
Japan's coronavirus infections are quickly dropping, allowing the government to ease off the emergency lever.
The government is eager to kick-start the economy, which is why Japan is preparing to roll out the not-so-red carpet for business travelers.
As for putting international students in the on-deck circle, the thinking is that they would be able to provide hands for convenience stores and other players in the country's understaffed service sector.
