Press Conferences

Mr. YOSHIDA, Tomoyuki, Press Secretary: I do not have anything to report today, but I would like to give a greeting as this is my first press conference.

My name is YOSHIDA Tomoyuki, and I changed positions from Director-General of the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau to Press Secretary last week. This is my first time to work in the press-related department and I am not experienced yet, but I hope to receive your support.

I will answer your questions as sincerely as I can, but there may be times when I cannot answer fully due to certain reasons pertaining to the positions of the bureaus and divisions whose jurisdiction the matter falls under. I would like to ask for your understanding in advance.

Mainichi Shimbun, TADOKORO: Last night, it was announced that procedures for accepting travelers entering Japan would begin as part of relaxation of border enforcement measures for Viet Nam and Thailand. Relaxation of border measures has begun for two countries out of the 16 countries and regions that have been mentioned thus far, including the original four countries plus the additional 12 countries. There are still 14 countries and regions left. I believe that procedures have begun for the countries possible, but can you please explain the flow going forward, including the outlook concerning the timing?

Press Secretary YOSHIDA: You asked about the announcement concerning consideration toward resumption of travel and the approach to the new framework between Japan and Thailand as well as Viet Nam amidst restrictions on travel as the novel coronavirus spreads.

For this, from July 29, we will implement the procedure for the “Residence Track” firstly with Thailand and Viet Nam to allow mutual resumption of travel. That requires certain additional infection control measures while continuing the current infection control measure of the 14-day quarantine period. We will continue to conduct coordination regarding the “Business Track” to enable business activities with limitations on mobility. The details are available on various websites, so I will refrain from mentioning them now.

In relation to this, you asked about the current outlook regarding the consultations on coordination to allow resumption of travel between Japan and the remaining two countries besides Thailand and Viet Nam among the initial four countries, as well as the 12 countries and regions that were decided by the National Security Council and the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters on July 22. This was decided on July 22 and we will conduct communication about the details with the respective countries and regions going forward, so at the present point, this is not yet the stage in which I can speak about the outlook on the specific timing.

In any event, we will determine the framework to allow resumption of travel sequentially from countries with which preparations are complete, including the previously mentioned two countries, and begin to implement it.