Relaxed Visa Requirements for Pinoy Tourists to Japan! Woohoo!

UPDATE!
Looks like we reacted too soon. Popping our bubble, the embassy clarifies that Filipinos still need to apply for visas when visiting Japan. However, when approved, you can now be granted multiple entry for up to three years.

From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan

June 25, 2013 

1. 1. 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.
   2. 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.

Also see: Rappler: "Japan Relaxes Visa Rules for Filipinos"

So, we won't be able to treat Japan like Hong Kong or Singapore anytime soon, but this is still good news. Normally, when you're approved for a tourist visa, you're only approved once, and your visit should only be maximum 15 days. If you constantly make repeated trips, that's when they'll eventually give you multiple entry. (My sister's job requires this so she was granted a 5-year visa. Always envied her for that! I must note, though, that she also started with the customary 15-day visas which she had to re-apply whenever she needed to go back. Eventually, I think she went back and forth so much and had so many stamps on her passport that they gave her the multiple entry.)

With the new set-up, the embassy still makes the call for who to let in to their beautiful country, and when they grant you that visa, it'll feel like they trust you not to abuse the privilege for 3 years! Because, let's be honest, that IS a document of trust, so let's work hard to earn that trust. Maybe, one day, they'll find us worthy enough to lift the visa requirement like they did for the Malaysians and Thais.

Original post below: No More Visas for Pinoy Tourists to Japan! Woohoo!



Resurrecting my blog to share that, apparently, our dream country, Japan, has lifted visa requirements for ASEAN countries. That includes us! :D

Japan has lefted visa requirements for a number of ASEAN countries including Thailand and Malaysia to help spur the nation's tourism industry and to develop relationships with Southeast Asian countries.

According to Foreign Ministry’s pronouncement, visa exemption will be effective for Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Viet Nam after July, 1. Ministry underlined the decision is adopted to celebrate “40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.” Visa exemption is valid for short time visit no longer than 15 days. Japan cautioned those travelers who want to stay longer must still need a visa.

The territorial dispute between Tokyo and Beijing lowered the Chinese travelers. Japan’s move to nationalize disputed islands at the East China Sea drew a harsh critic from Chinese’s officials and triggered a boycott from Chinese’s consumers and tourists. With no end in sight to the dispute, the Japanese government turned its eye to lucrative Southeast Asian market. Tokyo wants to attract 1 million Southeast Asian tourists this year, and 2 million in 2016. The number was 780,000 last year.

On the political side, the Japanese governments want to have a closer relationship with ASEAN countries. Nationalist leader Shinzo Abe who visited Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia after becoming prime minister is expected to tour Malaysia and the Philippines. During his visit, Japanese Prime Minister will try to develop relations with Southeast Asian countries to obstruct Beijing’s regional ambition, reports say. Malaysia and the Philippines have a territorial dispute with Beijing likewise Japan. Japanese PM Abe is due to host a special meeting of ASEAN leaders in Tokyo in December.

Paul and I posted this on our news feeds and our friends lists (mostly otakus, anime fans and general Japan-atics) are notably ecstatic. I don't mind the 15-day restriction since that's the same time period we were granted before, with the visa, and it's the same with countries like Hong Kong and Singapore. And two weeks is already enough time to explore without breaking budgets!

Thank you, Japan! We promise to be good tourists and to teach our friends to be on their best behavior in your country, too!