Japan is considering allowing more foreigners into the country for longer stays starting as early as October, while keeping the COVID-19 entry curbs in place for tourists, the Asahi newspaper reported on Wednesday.

In an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, Japan has adopted some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world, with even permanent residents unable to reenter the country without prior permission.

The government eased some of those restrictions on students and business people from seven countries in late July.

Reuters