Japan's health ministry has decided to allow the public to buy antigen test kits that can simultaneously check for coronavirus and seasonal influenza.
The ministry made the decision at an expert panel meeting on Monday.
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.
The Japanese government is moving a step closer to the introduction of antibody tests that would identify people who have been infected with the new coronavirus.
Health minister Kato Katsunobu said on Friday his ministry has begun checking the performance of several test kits that could be used to see the existence of coronavirus antibodies in blood samples.