Japan relaxing visa regulations for China tourists

Japan will significantly lower its visa regulations for Chinese tourists starting Thursday, a move that will allow another 16 million households – or 10 times the size of the current potential pool of travelers – to apply for a trip to Japan, the Wall Street Journal reported. Until now, travel visas have been granted only to wealthy Chinese with relatively high annual incomes, but the new rules will lower the annual income threshold for Chinese tourists and encourage "middle class" people from China to visit Japan. The Japanese government’s decision reflects the massive influx of tourists coming from China recently and their rising purchasing power. A survey of 40 department stores by the Japan Department Store Association showed that spending by foreign tourists, led by Chinese, has jumped every month but one since March 2009. The Japan Tourism Agency said visitors from China spend about US$1,300 compared with US$790 for Taiwan visitors and $280 for Americans.