November 29, Monday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. Japan is putting back in place an entry ban on new foreign arrivals, citing the potential danger of the Omicron variant. This suspends the recent easing of measures for foreign students, business people and technical trainees. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio unveiled the measures on Monday. He said, “I decided to put entry restrictions in place for foreigners from all over the world starting on Tuesday, as an emergency measure. We are aiming to avoid the worst situation from occurring in this country.”
2. A Japanese government survey has found that more than 80 percent of universities across the country say they planned to make more than 70 percent of the classes available during the second half of the current academic year in-person classes. The plans were made amid a decline in the number of coronavirus cases.
3. The Japanese government is aiming to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign-made vaccines. It’s ramping up funding for domestic development to better prepare for future coronavirus outbreaks and other epidemics.