Fans enjoy a game between the Yomiuri Giants and the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 14, 2021, under a trial program to give free entry to fans who are either vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19, a first in Tokyo and Nippon Professional Baseball. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Yomiuri Giants said Thursday that vaccinated fans and those with negative COVID-19 test results would be allowed to attend games for free as part of the government's drive to ease restrictions placed on the public.

       The trial program at Tokyo Dome for the game between the Giants and Hanshin Tigers was the first in Tokyo and Nippon Professional Baseball. Seventeen fans were admitted who were either fully vaccinated or could show proof of a previous or game-day negative COVID-19 test.

       Yomiuri will invite 30 more fans to its game against the Hiroshima Carp on Saturday and another 30 to see the Giants play the Yakult Swallows a week later.

       Yomiuri said it received a total of 1,007 applications from fans wishing to take part in the trial program and see one of the games, with around 90 percent qualifying due to their vaccination status.

       The club said it would use this trial to estimate how long it takes to verify an applicant's details and grasp how many tests would be required on game day.

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