JAPAN ISSUES MULTIPLE ENTRY VISAS FOR INDIANS

The Government of Japan has decided to begin issuance of multiple entry visas for short‐term stay to nationals of India (ordinary passport holders) effective immediately. This decision was taken following the announcement by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he visited India this January that the Government of Japan would introduce multiple entry visas based on the recognition that the enhancement of people to people exchanges is important in order to further broaden relations between Japan and India.

Ryoichi Matsuyama, President, JNTO said, “It is very welcoming that, through the issuance of multiple entry visas, it has become easier for Indian nationals to travel to Japan. I hope more and more Indian people will take benefit of this facility to visit Japan and experience its various facets, such as the nature and beauty of Japan, world‐class Japanese technology, theme parks, entertainment spots, Japanese food, shopping, etc.”

Last year, 10.36 million foreign tourists visited Japan. This number was a huge leap over the previous year’s figure of 8.36 million foreign tourists to Japan. Thus, the target of attracting 10 million visitors to Japan a year, set by the government of Japan, was achieved for the first time. The number of Indian visitors to Japan of last year was approximately 75,000, marking the highest ever figure of Indian tourist arrivals to Japan. However, the number of Indian tourists to foreign countries had already touched 15 million in 2012, and it is expected that this number will further increase rapidly. Therefore, the Government of Japan recognises India as a very high potential market, which can help Japan achieve its ambitious goal of attracting 20 million foreign tourists by 2020.

The issuance of multiple entry visas for short‐term stay for nationals of India is expected to help increase the number of Indian tourists to Japan and improve convenience in business activities, thus further developing bilateral exchanges between Japan and India.