Japan is set to launch a digital vaccine passport for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Nikkei announced on Monday, March 28.
The country will issue digital health certificates to citizens who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, joining China, the EU, and other countries in a bid to reopen international travel.
The certificate will be available through a mobile app and will also be linked to a new system that tracks the progress of Japan's vaccination program. This will allow authorities to quickly verify whether the carriers have been fully vaccinated or have tested negative when boarding a plane or checking in to a hotel.
"The government is considering adding the certificate to an app that is set to be introduced next month that holds a digital certificate for a negative test result," the report said.
Aside from its citizens who travel abroad, the app is also focused on foreigners who are staying in Japan who want to return to their home countries.
The EU is planning to introduce the vaccine certificates by summer.
Those who will travel to the EU from Japan will be required to show their certificate when boarding an airplane, the report added.
The Japanese government said it will refer to the EU certificates as well as the universal digital certificate "CommonPass" advocated by the World Economic Forum in determining the standards for its certification.
China also recently launched a digital health certificate for its citizens that shows the holder's vaccine status and virus test results. The country, however, still requires vaccinated travelers to quarantine after arriving in the mainland.