Japan likely to allow Chinese tourists' visits on individual basis

Wednesday 11th February, 05:25 AM JST

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Paludis at 04:15 PM JST - 11th February

I don't think I'd call 3.3M Yen affluent.

That's the current policy which allows groups of 2 to 3 people. I assume the new policy would require a higher income.
soldave at 04:30 PM JST - 11th February

So you're allowed to visit Japan, but only if you're rich enough and will spend lots of money here.
Tahoochi at 05:08 PM JST - 11th February

I agree with Betzee:

gaining entry to another country is a privilege not a right

Most of you have probably heard of the visa waiver program. Many countries including the US only allows citizens of specific countries to travel to their country for tourism or business without having to obtain a visa. All countries participating in the program are high-income economies with a high HDI and are regarded as developed countries. Japan's program is very similar. Besides, would you let anybody and everybody into your own house? If you didn't, would that be called "blatant discrimination?"
samsarks at 06:22 PM JST - 11th February

my wife once told me that jp are anti-foreign but if u are a scientist or of higher educational standing you are not so much treated as a gaijin.it made me conclude that,they need people who they can benefit from but not loose something to.even,with their take on refugees reinforces that.I am not surprised at this new policy cos it alredy existed informally......
virgo at 07:39 PM JST - 11th February

It is the same as most counties. It is a normal process. The USA is the same as is many other more affluent White nations. This is not even a story really, just another reason for people to attack Japan or China or whomever.
888naff at 08:08 PM JST - 11th February

"Americans can`t just come here to Japan either. You need to have a college degree, or some other important reason...to do a concert...cultural studies etc. You can't be a high school drop out and stay here or come for a visit I believe."

luckily although Japan has been trying to increase tourist numbers overall, they havent yet had alot of the bad tourists (whwether they know they exist yet) from US and EU, becuase of the distance. This was also whilst hosting the world football cup they had few problems. In the Eu think of hoards of drunk lout tourists heading south to holiday resorts in spain or turning once quiet and cultural places like prague into something else.
shouganaika at 09:57 PM JST - 11th February

Besides, would you let anybody and everybody into your own house? If you didn't, would that be called "blatant discrimination?

an utterly ridiculous analogy
OssanAmerica at 01:52 AM JST - 12th February

am with Spanish woman too. Japanese have always wanted to be to >themselves. So, let them be if they want to be "watashi wa, kai ni >naritai" Why come to their rescue when in first place up to know they >have not changed in their attitude towards outsiders, no matter from >what country they come?

I think you are really way out in left field with this. Japan's immigration policies are similar to other nations. And just as the United States and EU have a problem with illegal immigration from lesser developed or affluent countries, so does Japan.
OssanAmerica at 01:59 AM JST - 12th February

"Americans can`t just come here to Japan either. You need to have a college degree, or some other important reason...to do a concert...cultural studies etc. You can't be a high school drop out and stay here or come for a visit I believe."

You believe wrong. An American high school dropout can easily visit Japan without a Visa for up to 90 days on the Visa-Waiver program.
OssanAmerica at 02:01 AM JST - 12th February

my wife once told me that jp are anti-foreign

Please inform your wife that some jp are anti-foreign, some are pro-foreign and the vast majority probably don't care either way.
TokyoHustla at 05:48 AM JST - 12th February

Fact is, Americans need to have a 4 year uni degree to get a visa to enter Japan, which has to be applied for at the nearest Japanese consulate. Anyone stating otherwise has no knowledge of the laws.
tkdmantis at 06:34 AM JST - 12th February

I just got back from Japan not more than 2 days ago. I went to visit in-laws. I do not have a collage degree and I did not apply for a visa before traveling to Japan.
rurika at 08:50 AM JST - 12th February

to Yelnats and TokyoHustla: http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/02.html
Tahoochi at 09:24 AM JST - 12th February

Tahoochi said:

Besides, would you let anybody and everybody into your own house? If you didn't, would that be called "blatant discrimination?

shouganaika said:

an utterly ridiculous analogy

Really? I just thought that a country has every right to judge whether or not a visitor might overstay their welcome (ie. illegal immigrants), just as anyone would think twice about letting people in their doors. In addition, citizens of a nation have more of a right to feel comfortable in their our country than tourists have a right to visit that country because people have a "comfort level" in the country that they were raised in/live in, just like people have a "comfort level" in their own home. I can appreciate the differences between your own private home and a whole nation, but there are similarities as well.
shouganaika at 11:31 PM JST - 12th February

Fact is, Americans need to have a 4 year uni degree to get a visa to enter Japan, which has to be applied for at the nearest Japanese consulate. Anyone stating otherwise has no knowledge of the laws.

hahahahahaha. no.