As a first step to implementing a system for broadening entry into the country, the Japanese government is currently engaging in discussions to begin permitting entry of certain individuals from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand for business purposes, including management, executives, specialists, technical trainees and internal company transferees. As discussed in our prior blog post, these four countries are among the 111 countries whose visitors are largely restricted from entering Japan. Although individuals who are permitted into the country will be exempt from the overarching travel restrictions currently in place (e.g., 14 day self-isolation in Japan upon landing), such individuals will be permitted to travel within Japan only for specified work purposes (discussed below) and will be banned from using public transportation for two weeks upon landing in Japan. Continue reading at Mayer Brown’s COVID-19 blog