Former Japanese foreign minister Nobuo Kishi, who is also younger brother of current PM Shinzo Abe on Wednesday said his country was relaxing visa procedures for Indians from January 2018 to further cement people-to-people relations between the two countries. Speaking at the Global Partnership Summit (GPS) Kishi pitched for greater Indo-Japan cooperation in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region and praised PM Modi's Act East policy that encompasses a robust outreach to East Asian nations. Experts believed that by connecting India and Pacific, Japan was quietly challenging China's aggressive plans in the South China Sea and want India to emulate its strategy to eliminate any threat to the energy lane that sustains economy of both energy started nations.
He said Tokyo will relax rules for multiple entry visas for short term stay for Indian passport holders. India has already announced visa-on-arrival facility to Japanese nationals. Japan has extended the validity period of such visas from a maximum of three years to five years. The duration of visit on multiple entry visas, including tourism and business, has also been increased to 30 days from 15 days. India and Japan had agreed to ease visa restrictions during Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India in December 2015. The eligibility for multiple-entry visas has been expanded to include people with travel records to Japan for short-term visit in the past three years.
Kishi stressed on the importance of facilitating exchanges between people of the two countries. India and Japan have also been seeking to enhance cooperation among the businessmen of both countries. Tough visa norms were often cited as a hindrance by businessmen of both countries.
Japan has already extended the validity of visas for business purposes and also for cultural and intellectual figures from 5 to 10 years. Earlier Japan had introduced multiple-entry visas for Indian nationals in July 2014. It had also increased duration of visit on multiple entry visas, including tourism and business, to 30 days from the earlier 15.
Earlier in a written message, Japanese PM also stressed need for cooperation, saying it was now an utmost necessity in view of current developments across the world. He said the relationship has immense potential, while recalling his meeting with Indian PM in Gujarat.
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