Travel to resume between Japan and South Korea

Business travel could restart between the two countries as soon as early October.  

Japan.- Japan and South Korea are close to reaching an agreement to resume business travel.   

The agreement would permit long as well as short trips and it could begin in early October, Nikkei agency reported.   

Short-term visitors will be able to avoid the mandatory two-week quarantine if they provide a negative coronavirus test along with a trip itinerary. 

For longer stays, visitors will have to self-isolate for two weeks.   

The move is intended to promote economic recovery in both countries. Japan closed its borders in April and Seoul has barred travel from Japan, except for long-term residents. 

The Japan National Tourism Organization says South Korea was the second country of origin for visitors to Japan last year, accounting for 5.58 million visits, of which about 310,000 came for business purposes. 

South Korea is set to become the second country after Singapore to which Japan is reopening its borders for both short- and long-term visits. Long-term visits are already allowed from nine countries, including Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia.  

Talks are underway with China as well but no agreement has been reached.