Tokyo (VNA) – Japan and Laos have agreed toresume travelling between the two nations for long-term residents fromSeptember, which has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agreement was reached during talks between JapaneseForeign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasithin Vientiane on August 23.

The two sides will also step up talks to allow travellingfor short-term residents.

Motegi said Tokyo will soon allow Lao students withGovernment scholarships to enter Japan.

The Japanese side also wished to contribute more to Laos’socio-economic development and pledged to assist Laos in strengthening regionalconnectivity, including the East-West economic corridor.

Following the talks, they signed an agreement on Japan’sprovision of equipment for training in Laos’ education sector worth nearly 23million USD in non-refundable aid.

Earlier, Japan discussed lifting travel restrictions forcitizens from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and China.

Japan currently bans entries byforeign nationals from 146 countries and regions in principle.

As of August 23, Japan recorded a total of 62,791 COVID-19infection cases, including 1,190 deaths and 254 under intensive care./.