Easier travel rules for Japan

BANGKOK Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs relaxed visa rules for nationals of Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam effective Tuesday.
According to the ministry website, effective 30 September, rules for multiple visas will be much easier for these three countries.
In addition relaxing visa issuance requirements, visa validity will be extended from three up to five years for a multiple visa.
Also, applicants residing overseas can now apply at the nearest Japanese embassy rather than the embassy in the country of origin.
Visa applications for package tours handled by registered travel agencies will be simplified for these three countries, the ministry said.
Additionally, visa exemptions based on a system of preregistered e-passports at a Japanese embassy is scheduled to begin 1 December for Indonesians.
These measures are expected to help Japan reach its 20 million foreign visitor target.
Japan first eased its visa policy for tourists from the Southeast Asia last July by granting multiple entry visas for short-term visitors from Vietnam and the Philippines and waiving visa requirements for Thai and Malaysian travellers for up to 15 days.
The move helped Japan achieve its annual international tourist arrivals target – 10 million tourists – for the first time last year.
Around 140,000 Indonesians, 110,000 Filipinos and 80,000 Vietnamese visited Japan last year. Between 0.09% and 0.34% of short-term visitors from the three countries overstayed their visas.

sourced:ttrweekly.com