INDIA BUSINESS WORLD - APRIL - MAY 2007
The Month that was ...

JAPAN TO RELAX VISA NORMS FOR INDIANS

JAPAN will relax visa norms for Indian tourists, a move that would significantly contribute to enhanced people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two Asian giants, official sources said here. The simplification of Japanese visa procedures for Indian tourists is expected to be announced as part of the 'Japan-India Tourism Exchange Year 2007' launched by the two governments to boost bilateral relations.

Japanese and Indian governments are keen to enhance people-to-people exchanges as the two Asian giants are emerging closer politically, economically as well as in security affairs. "In this first India-Japan Tourism Exchange Year, we are certain that introducing history and tradition in a positive way will surely have significance in accelerating mutual understanding and exchange between the two nations," a Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) official said.

During the joint statement issued during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Japan last December, it was decided to designate Year 2007 as 'India-Japan Tourism Exchange Year', and Japan will participate in the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2007 to be held from April 19 and India will participate in the World Travel Fair in Japan in September.