The end of Japan's state of emergency over the coronavirus crisis has sparked hopes among the country's citizens living in Beijing that their families and colleagues may be able to return to the Chinese capital in the not-so-distant future.

Japanese people working in Beijing, some of who have been stranded in their home nation since China began to restrict the entry of foreigners in March, have also welcomed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision, as it would encourage Beijing to ease the measure.

"I've believed that if the number of infections in Tokyo decreases and the state of emergency is lifted, China will review the travel ban," said a 45-year-old male employee at a Japanese government-backed organization in Beijing.