Tokyo, Jul 10, 2020, SPA -- Japan looks to begin discussions with around 10 countries and regions including China, South Korea and others next week on easing travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Kyodo quoted the Japanese government sources as saying today. The talks are expected to prioritize letting businesspeople back in, with other countries that have the outbreak under control such as Brunei, Myanmar and Laos also under consideration. Japan currently has an entry ban in place for 129 countries and regions, with foreign travelers who have been to any of these areas within 14 days of their arrival being turned away. Travel to and from Japan has slowed to a trickle since the pandemic began earlier this year. The country saw just 1,700 inbound foreign travelers in May while 5,500 Japanese departed, both down more than 99 percent from a year earlier, according to government data. The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has already started discussions with Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand on easing travel restrictions, on condition that foreign travelers submit negative COVID-19 test results and an itinerary of where they plan to visit during their stay. --SPA 03:58 LOCAL TIME 00:58 GMT 0023 www.spa.gov.sa/w1368461