Japan to ease visa rules, double duty-free shops ahead of 2020 Olympic Games

Japanese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it would relax visa requirement for four Asian countries in a bid to double the number of foreign visitors ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, local media reported.

The four countries include Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and India. Under the new rules, e-passport holders of Indonesia don't need visa to enter Japan on prior registration, the ministry said in a statement.

For nationals of the Philippines and Vietnam, both multiple- entry visa and single-entry tourism visa requirements will be substantially relaxed.

"The objectives of these measures are to promote Japan as a tourism-oriented country with the even higher goal of attracting 20 million foreign visitors," said the ministry, adding that details of the measures included the beginning date of application are currently under consideration.

In addition, the issuance of multiple-entry visas for nationals of India, which was decided when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited India in January this year, will commence by this summer, according to the statement.

The country also decided to double the number of duty-free shops nationwide to around 10,000 in line with the government's efforts to increase foreign visitors.

"Japan has many products and attractions to offer to tourists in various parts of the country," Abe said at his office earlier in the day.