China Resumes Visa-Free Entry for Short-Term Japanese Visitors

China has reinstated its visa-free policy for short-term Japanese visitors, effective Saturday, allowing stays of up to 30 days.

This move, aimed at boosting tourism and trade, comes after a suspension of the policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020. The preferential arrangement will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Japan, in contrast, continues to require visas for all Chinese visitors, regardless of stay duration. Beijing had previously insisted on "equal" visa treatment for Chinese nationals as a condition for resuming the visa-free scheme, according to diplomatic sources.

While some Japanese tourists, such as one visiting Shanghai, expressed excitement over the renewed policy, security concerns linger following recent attacks in China. Despite this, Japanese businesses have welcomed the move, citing fewer obstacles to short-term business trips.

The restart of the scheme is expected to encourage greater connectivity, with local governments in Japan anticipating an increase in direct flights between regional cities in Japan and China.

This comes after the agreement in November between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to foster stronger bilateral ties.

China has extended visa exemptions to short-term visitors from nearly 40 countries, including Japan. Prior to 2020, Japanese nationals enjoyed a 15-day visa-free stay.

In 2019, about 2.67 million Japanese nationals visited China, marking them as the largest group of foreign visitors that year.