China’s recent decision to expand visa-free access to visitors from nine countries has drawn global attention, particularly in South Korea, where it boosted stock prices of major entertainment companies like JYP and SM.
For South Koreans who bring their families to scenic destinations like Zhangjiajie, this policy is a significant benefit.
However, in contrast to South Korea, Japan - historically China’s largest source of inbound tourists - was not included in this round of visa exemptions.
Prior to the pandemic, China had offered a unilateral visa exemption policy for Japanese citizens, allowing them to visit for up to 15 days for business or tourism. The policy was suspended during the pandemic and has not yet been reinstated.
Japanese media reports indicate that Japan’s government and business sectors have been urging China to restore this exemption. But China has indicated that a visa waiver for Japanese citizens would be contingent upon a reciprocal arrangement from Japan.
