Like many countries, Japan closed its borders in early 2020 to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike other immigration policies around the world, the #JapanTravelBan barred permanent residents (including those with Japanese spouses and children) and other people with valid visas from entering or re-entering Japan.

The good news, nearly nine months on, is that Japan’s border restrictions have begun easing. Now, at least in theory, any foreigner authorized to stay in Japan for three months or longer can entry the country. The bad news? The conditions that underlie the eased restrictions are prohibitive to travel for many people, and subject foreign entrants to prerequisites that Japanese nationals are not required to meet.