'Skilled foreigner' invite too rigid a bar

Sep 4, 2013

'Skilled foreigner' invite too rigid a bar

by Tomohiro Osaki

More than a year after its much-hyped introduction, a government-led initiative to lure “highly skilled” foreign professionals to Japan is making lackluster progress, with the number of those applying for visas under the new system much smaller than initially envisioned. Dismayed by the poor ...

Jun 26, 2013

Relaxed visa program for Southeast Asian visitors starts

by Mizuho Aoki

The government will relax visa requirements for visitors from Southeast Asian countries starting Monday, hoping to lure more travelers from fast-growing economies to spur economic growth. Japan will waive visa requirements for tourists from Thailand and Malaysia, and offer a multiple-entry visa to Filipino ...