(Yicai Global) Nov. 30 -- China and Japan will open a ‘fast track’ personnel exchange program, when Japan begins accepting commercial visa applications today, according to an announcement from the Japanese embassy in China at the end of last week.

Under the scheme, Chinese entering Japan for business can skip the 14-day quarantine rule if they submit negative Covid-19 test results issued within 72 hours before their flight.

Chinese citizens, permanent residents, residents and long-term pass holders intending to visit Japan for short-term commercial purposes or for medium to long stays can apply for fast track, the embassy said on its website.

Those who visit Japan for business liaison, negotiation, contract signing, after-sales services, promotions, market research, conference attendance and cultural and sports exchanges can apply for short-term visas that allow them to stay up to 90 days in the country.

Long-term visas are mainly for those planning to work in Japan, and include 19 kinds of professionals qualified as business managers, journalists, medical services providers, instructors, specified skilled workers, technical intern trainees and intra-company transferees, among others.

Negative Exemptions

Both novel coronavirus tests and submission of pre-entry test reports are waived for people entering Japan from China from Nov. 1, but they must isolate for 14 days in a designated place such as home or a hotel after entry, per Japan's pandemic-prevention rules. These are inconvenient for inbound commercial travelers, so the two-week quarantine is lifted for this group if they provide negative Covid-19 test results before flying.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Japanese counterpart announced the two countries would soon set up the fast track to ease personnel exchanges during Wang’s trip to Japan this month. It will officially start today, China foreign ministry's spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Nov. 25.

Some changes will come into effect for people returning to China from Japan starting from Dec. 1, CCTV News reported. First, passengers entering China must apply online for the digital ‘Green Health Code’ from the Chinese embassy and consulate in Japan with negative results for both the novel coronavirus nucleic acid test and the serum antibody test conducted within two days before boarding, with the practice of boarding with paper certificates no longer valid.

To lower infection risks on their journey, passengers must take direct flights from Japan to China, since they will otherwise be unable to get the health code.

The nucleic acid testing center at Narita International Airport will become one of the institutions recognized by the Chinese embassy and consulate in Japan starting next month. Passengers coming to China on direct flights can be tested at the airport. The embassy suggests passengers upload their negative results before 8.00 p.m. the day before their flight as applying for the Green Health Code will take some time.

Editor: Ben Armour, Xiao Yi