Manila, Philippines – Japan is not lifting its visa requirements for Filipinos but granted to apply for multiple-entry tourist visas.
The Japanese Embassy in Manila this week confirmed that the cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe eased its visa policy for citizens of Southeast Asian countries to boost tourism.
The Japanese government adopted its new visa policy for Southeast Asian tourists on June 11 in hopes of increasing arrivals from the region.
The said move was to strengthen the relationship between the countries.
Starting next week, July 1, short-term tourists from Thailand and Malaysia will be exempt from visas while those from the Philippines and Vietnam are still required to apply for multiple-entry visas valid for three years.
As read on Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release:
Issuance of Multiple Entry Visas for Nationals of the Republic of the Philippines
June 25, 2013
In celebration of the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, the Government of Japan has decided to begin issuance from July 1, of multiple entry visas for short-term stay to nationals of the Republic of the Philippines (ordinary passport holders) who reside in their home country.
The further development of Japan-Philippines exchange is expected as a result of the issuance of multiple entry visas, including increases in the number of tourist from the Philippines who visit Japan and the enhancement of the ease of business transactions between the two countries.
Reference:
Multiple entry visas for short-term stay for nationals of the Republic of the Philippines (ordinary passport holders)
Recipient:
Those who have fulfilled certain conditions and who have an ordinary Machine-Readable passport (MRP) meeting International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards or an ordinary IC passport.
Period of stay:
15 days.
Term of validity:
Up to three years.
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