Japan's health ministry approved on Friday the use of saliva to conduct PCR tests for people with no coronavirus symptoms.

Last month, the ministry allowed the use of saliva in PCR tests for the coronavirus, in addition to the method of swabbing the nostril. But tests using saliva, which are considered to be easier, were limited to those who had symptoms, like a fever.

Japan's health ministry says it plans to approve antigen tests kits on Wednesday that can quickly screen for the new coronavirus.

The test is similar to those used for the flu, where fluid is swabbed from the back of a patient's nostril and placed onto the kit.