TOKYO - Japan and South Korea agreed on Tuesday to restart travel between the two countries for short- and long-term business travellers, Japan's foreign ministry said on Tuesday, easing restrictions put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.

South Korea becomes the second country after Singapore with which Japan has reopened its borders for both short- and long-term stays. Japan has reopened to long-term visitors from nine countries including Thailand and Vietnam.

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Chris Gallagher) ((kaori.kaneko@thomsonreuters.com; +81-3-4563-2733;))