Struggling to resist the "explosive shopping" boom? Japan considers visa exemptions for Chinese tourists

▲ In November last year, Japanese media reported that Shizuoka Airport had risen to become one of the few standout regional airports, largely due to Chinese tourists. (Photo / Reproduced from Asahi Shimbun)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Seiji Kihara revealed on the 4th that the Japanese government has set new targets to attract 40 million foreign visitors to Japan by 2020 and 60 million by 2030. As a result, the government will explore relevant measures and policies, including visa exemptions, which will naturally be among them, and Chinese tourists will also be included as potential beneficiaries.

According to Beijing-based news outlet The Global Times, a delegation of Chinese media personalities, jointly organized by The Global Times and the China Public Diplomacy Association, visited Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the afternoon of the 4th and held talks with Seiji Kihara, a key figure in Japan’s diplomatic dealings with China.

Kihara stated that it is very important for China and Japan to enhance mutual understanding. For Japan, developing a strategic mutually beneficial relationship with China is a fundamental principle, and the two countries are partners to each other—this is also the basic guideline of the strategic mutually beneficial relationship.

When asked whether containing China has become a national policy of Japan, Kihara said, “Japan has absolutely no policy aimed at containing China, nor does it have such an intention. China’s peaceful development is a good opportunity for Japan, but in the East China Sea and the South China Sea regions, Japan expresses concern over unilateral activities by China, and hopes that China will resolve issues in accordance with international law.”

Public favorability toward China in Japan has hit a historic low. Kihara pointed out that over 80% of the Japanese public do not feel close to China, and Japan expresses regret over this outcome. This result has directly led to reduced Japanese investment in China and fewer Japanese tourists traveling to China, so both sides should accelerate efforts to improve relations.

Speaking about the surge in Chinese tourism to Japan, Kihara revealed that the Japanese government welcomes more Chinese people to visit Japan and experience Japanese culture. Japan has set new targets to attract 40 million foreign visitors to Japan by 2020 and 60 million by 2030. As a result, the government will explore relevant measures and policies, and visa exemptions will naturally be among them. “The target group will also include Chinese people.”

%既ツ瓯1月，Japanese media reported that Shizuoka Airport had risen to become one of the few standout regional airports, largely due to Chinese tourists. (Photo / Reproduced from Asahi Shimbun)