Japan relaxes visa requirements for Filipinos

Japan has eased the visa requirements for Filipinos to promote people-to-people exchanges with the Philippines.

In a statement, the Japanese embassy said the relaxation of visa requirements for shortterm stay for nationals of the Philippines took effect on Aug. 1.

The validity period of the visas will be extended from five years to 10 years maximum.

The scope of applicants eligible for multiple entry visas for short-term stay with business purposes and for cultural and intellectual figures will be expanded. It will be announced on the website of the Foreign Ministry.

“The abovementioned relaxation of visa requirements is expected to contribute to improvement of convenience for tourists and increase in repeat visitors as well as further advancement of peopleto-people exchanges between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines,” the embassy said.

Fifty-six years after having organized the Olympic Games, Japan will be hosting a Summer edition for the second time, from July 24 to Aug. 9, 2020.

The Tokyo Games will use as many existing competition venues as possible, including those built for the Games in 1964, such as the prestigious Nippon Budokkan for judo, the Baji Koen Park for equestrian events, and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for handball. The Tokyo National Stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies and athletics competitions will be staged, will be completely revamped and replaced by a new arena.