CONFIDENTIAL
ANGLO/JAN SE MINIST IAL CONSULTATIONS
TOKYO: FEBRUARY 1972
JATAN SE VISA REQUTREMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF HONG KONG JASSTORTS
1. The negotiations with the Japanese authorities in 1962, which culminated in the United Kingdom/Japan Visa Abolition Agreement, were conducted with the primary intention on the part of both Gov- ernments of easing restriction on travel between Japan and the
United Kingdom. HM Government did not ask that Hong Kong be
excluded from the Agreement, but the Japanese made it clear from the outset of the negotiations (on an informal and confidential basis) that they were not keen to extend any agreement with the UK to include Hong Kong, However, it was accepted by both Governments
that visa abolition arrangements for HMG's dependent territories, including Hong Kong, could be the subject of further negotiations
at a later date, if so required,
2. The Hong Kong Government have consistently pressed to be
included in the Agreement, or for a waiver arrangement to be con-
cluded. A series of approaches to effect either arrangement has
been made at official level to the Japanese, whose basic objection has been that if they agreed to admit Hong Kong Passport Holders without visas, they would lose control over the admission of subver-
sive Chinese elements. When the matter was raised in 1966 the
Ministry of Justice also objected on the grounds that it has consid- erable trouble in ridding Japan of the significant number of Hong Kong Chinese who enter Japan, ostensibly as tourists with visas, and then stay to work. Apparently, while there are provisions in Japanese law for deportation, there are no funds to pay for it. effective means cxist therefore of dealing with undesirable aliens.
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CONFIDENTIAL
/The Japanese
No