Japan is planning to remove a ban on overseas travel to China and 11 other countries and regions from November 1, which is the first reduction after the COVID-19 outbreak, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday.

The 11 other countries and regions include Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia, the Yomiuri said.

The Japanese government, which currently bans travel to 159 countries and regions, will recommend that travelers refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent visits to those 12 countries and regions, the newspaper said.