Japan will from next week lift a ban on the reentry of some foreign residents, imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus, the foreign ministry has announced on late Wednesday.

Up to 90,000 foreign nationals with residence permits, including students, business people and trainees, are currently stuck outside Japan.

From Wednesday, those who left Japan before their destination countries were added to the ban list will be able to apply to return, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Those eligible will have to obtain a "reentry confirmation letter" from the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission and submit evidence of a negative virus test conducted within 72 hours of their flight.

AFP