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COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Japan suspends visas issued to PHL, 10 other countries


Japan on Friday announced that it is suspending visas issued to the Philippines and 10 other countries in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa due to the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019. 

The Japanese Embassy in Manila told GMA News Online that the visas will be temporarily suspended until the last day of April.

However, this policy is subject to review, it said.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that about 750,000 visas were issued by Japan in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Amid the threat of coronavirus, Japan has also suspended visas issued in 40 countries.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said stricter border control measures were adopted to stem the spread of coronavirus or Covid-19.

The validity of Pre-Clearance granted to Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card, and visas issued to People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Republic of Korea will also be gradually suspended.

"As a consequence, following people will not be permitted to enter Japan from 0:00 am of March 28th (JST)," the ministry said. — MDM/RSJ, GMA News

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