Conservative elements in the Liberal Democratic Party have expressed strong disapproval of a recent policy change that makes it easier for wealthy Chinese tourists to visit Japan. Under the new scheme, introduced during a December visit to Beijing by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Chinese applicants can obtain a tourist visa valid for 10 years, allowing multiple entries with each stay limited to 90 days. Critics within the party fear that this relaxation could result in an unmanageable surge of visitors and potential impacts on public order.
Amid growing internal dissent, Iwaya maintained that there had been a misunderstanding about the measure, asserting that it would not trigger a sudden increase in Chinese tourists. However, this explanation only fueled further objections among LDP lawmakers. During a recent session of the party’s Foreign Affairs Division and the Research Commission on Foreign Affairs, senior figures voiced that the policy was introduced hastily and without the usual internal consultations.
The discontent is also linked to broader concerns about Japan’s strategy to improve relations with China, a move seen by some as premature given the current international climate and the anticipated tougher stance of the United States toward Beijing. One party member suggested that the visa relaxation should have been postponed until after securing stronger ties with the United States. In addition to the visa changes for visitors valid over a 10-year period, adjustments have also been made to the previous rules governing multiple entries over shorter durations, further intensifying the criticism within the ruling party.
Iwaya’s remarks linking effective diplomacy to the avoidance of hate speech against China and South Korea have previously drawn ire from conservative LDP colleagues. In response to the recent criticisms, Iwaya has promised to provide more detailed explanations in the future as he navigates the diverse opinions within the party regarding these diplomatic and policy moves.