In December 2024, during his visit to China, Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya formally announced that Japan would fully relax its visa requirements for Chinese nationals visiting Japan. The relaxed measures are expected to be implemented in spring 2025 once preparations are complete. This announcement has stirred considerable excitement in the Chinese travel community. The series of new measures not only extends the validity of multiple-entry visas but also simplifies the application process for elderly applicants and extends the permitted stay for group tourists.
The validity period for multiple-entry tourist visas to Japan has been extended from 5 years to 10 years. This 10-year multiple-entry visa can be applied for by individuals as well as by families. For Chinese tourists over 65, the application procedures have been greatly simplified, eliminating the need to provide employment or retirement certificates. In addition, the maximum stay for group tourists, previously limited to 15 days, has now been extended to 30 days.
Relaxed Visa Policy, Multiple Benefits
Starting in April 2025, Osaka will host the World Expo. The World Expo is a large international exposition hosted by a national government and attended by multiple countries and international organizations, acclaimed as the “Olympic Games of the economic, technological, and cultural fields.” Seizing this opportunity, Japan hopes to attract more Chinese tourists through its relaxed visa policy, thereby boosting consumer spending and economic growth.
Chinese citizens have already become the largest group of foreign buyers in Japanese real estate, as Japanese laws are relatively lenient regarding property and land purchases by foreigners. In Japan, there are no special regulations or visa requirements for foreigners to purchase or hold land or buildings; even those on a personal tourist visa can buy property. Once purchased, there is no time limit on ownership, and properties can be freely bought, sold, donated, or inherited. Taxation is also on par with that of Japanese nationals. This policy relaxation may spark a new wave of “home-buying fever” in Japan and trigger a surge in investments.
Enhanced Convenience and Broadened Exchanges
Many travel agencies and enthusiasts have expressed that this policy will greatly facilitate their travel plans. The significant relaxation of Japan’s visa policy is not only a tremendous benefit for Chinese tourists but also a sign of warming relations between China and Japan. These measures will greatly enhance the convenience and overall travel experience for Chinese visitors, injecting fresh vitality into bilateral exchanges and cooperation.
The relaxation of the visa policy is undoubtedly a major win-win move. It not only brings tangible benefits to Chinese tourists but also provides new opportunities for the development of China–Japan relations.
As cooperation in the tourism sector deepens between China and Japan, economic and cultural exchanges will further strengthen. In the context of an increasingly diversified global order, both countries are demonstrating their commitment to friendship and cooperation through simplified visa policies and mutual exchanges. Whether it is Japanese retailers, travel operators, or ordinary citizens, everyone hopes that this series of relaxed policies will further promote the healthy development of bilateral relations.
Policy Relaxation Brings New Opportunities for Studying Abroad
According to reports, the Japanese government has announced plans to increase the intake of international students by 400,000 and to raise their employment rate to 60%. As of May 1, 2023, the number of international students in Japan had reached 279,274, with Chinese students accounting for 41.3% of the total. The Japanese government also offers generous benefits, such as tuition waivers and scholarships, to international students.
The introduction of the 10-year visa not only makes it more convenient for parents to accompany or visit students in Japan, but also provides more options for students who need to take exams in Japan, easing the scheduling of exam arrangements. Students can integrate more deeply into Japanese culture, improve their language skills and adaptability, and lay a stronger foundation for future studies, life, and career development.
This relaxation of Japan’s visa policy is an important milestone in the development of China–Japan relations and offers greater convenience and opportunities for Chinese citizens studying in Japan.
