Japan Eases off Entry Visa for Indonesian

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Japan government to ease off entry visa requirements for some ASEAN countries where Malaysia and Thailand nationals are exempted for visa while nationals from Indonesia gets extension of period of stays for those holding multiple entry visa, official said.

"The visa-related policy will be implemented starting July 1," Press Attache of Japan's Embassy in Jakarta said on Thursday.

The new policy is made in celebration of the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. For Indonesia nationals, the length of stay for holders of multiple entry visas - ordinary passport holders who reside in their home country - for short-term stay will be extended from 15 days to a maximum of 30 days.

The further development of Japan-Indonesia exchange is expected as a result of the extension of period of stay for multiple entry visas, including increases in the number of tourist from Indonesia who visit Japan and the enhancement of the ease of business transactions between the two countries.

Meanwhile nationals of Thailand in possession of ordinary IC passports who wish to enter Japan for a period not exceeding 15 consecutive days for short-term stay will be made exempt from the visa requirements.

However, those entering Japan with intentions other than those noted above; or in other words, those who wish to stay in Japan for short-term stay of over 15 days or who wish to stay for purposes such as work, will be required to obtain visas in advance. In addition, this visa exemption applies only to those with an ordinary IC passport. Nationals of the Kingdom of Thailand who do not hold an ordinary IC passport continue to be required to obtain a visa. (*/DWA)