Japan eyes relaxing visa requirements for Chinese nationals

Japan is considering relaxing visa requirements for Chinese tourists starting this summer in a bid to boost the number of visitors to the country, a government official said Monday.

Japan is seeking to jolt buying power in a country where consumption has stagnated due to a low birth rate, an ageing society and persistent deflation.

Under the new plan, which is yet to become official, Japan may issue visas from July to Chinese nationals with gold credit cards, usually earners of at least 60,000 yuan (8,800 dollars) annually, a tourism ministry official said.

Japan last year began issuing visas to individual Chinese "who have adequate economic means," the official said. Local media reported that only those who make 250,000 yuan annually have been eligible until now.

Japan is also planning to expand the number of facilities in China to attract applicants, which are currently handled at the Japanese embassy in Beijing and consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Visas would now also be issued at Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian and Qingdao.

Japan aims to bring in 15 million business travellers and tourists a year by 2013 of which 3.9 million would be Chinese visitors, the official said. The country attracted some one million Chinese last year.