The Japanese Embassy in the Philippines issued the relaxation of Visa Requirements not only for Filipinos but also for other nationalities in Southeast Asia particularly Indonesia and Vietnam. According to the Japanese Embassy, the relaxation of visa requirements is an initial step in the exemption of visa requirements.
The announcement made by the Japanese government was posted on the official website of the Japanese Embassy in Manila. According to the announcement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan decided to endeavor to realize the exemption of visa requirements as promptly as possible to implement an initial step for the Promotion of Japan as an Eco-Tourism Country.
The Japanese Embassy noted that the requirements for Visa entry to Japan will be liberalized for Filipinos applying for multiple-entry visa, as well as those applying for single-entry tourist visas.
Although the Japanese Embassy did not elaborate further their announcement including the details of the measure such as the beginning date of application which are currently under consideration.
The main purpose of the Japanese Embassy’s relaxation of Visa is aimed at increasing visitors from Southeast Asia by 2.5 times the current level to a 2 million in year 2016, which would surely help boost Japan’s economy.
Here’s the Official Press Release of the Embassy of Japan to the Philippines:
Following today’s meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Promotion of Japan as a Tourism-Oriented Country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to endeavour to realize the exemption of visa requirements as promptly as possible and to implement, as an initial step, the following substantial relaxations of visa requirements for nationals of Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, in cooperation with these partner countries.
The objectives of these measures are to promote Japan as a tourism-oriented country with the even higher goal of attracting 20 million foreign visitors, to contribute to growth strategies as well as the promotion of people-to-people exchanges. The details of the measures including the beginning date of application are currently under consideration.
For national of the Philippines multiple-entry visa requirements will be substantially relaxed, and requirements for single-entry tourism visas will be relaxed to a quasi-exemption-equivalent level when applied via specified travel agencies.
