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21. We await a substantive reply from the Governor on
whether the Hong Kong Government would undertake to refund to the
Germans any deportation expenses incurred by them.
Japan
22. Since 1962 there have been continuous efforts to conclude
an agreement for the reciprocal waiver of visas for Japanese
visiting Hong Kong and British subjects from Hong Kong visiting
Japan. These have met with little success because of the opposition
from the Japanese police, Immigration Bureau and Ministry of
Justice on security grounds to any relaxation of control over the
entry of persons of Chinese race. Since 1967, however, Japanese
nationals, like those of most other friendly countries, have been
allowed to visit Hong Kong for up to seven days without a visa.
Our embassy is in frequent touch with the Japanese authorities
on the subject, but the prospects for success do not look good.
The Embassy told us of a possible change in Japanese immigration
legislation, under the last Japanese administration, which might
make it easier for British subjects from Hong Kong to be admitted
to Japan without visas for short visits. There is however no
present sign of such a bill being presented. But the Japanese,
as a result of our representations, are now issuing more continuous
visas under the terms of a 1957 Exchange of Notes on the subject of
continuous visas, to British subjects from Hong Kong seeking to
visit Japan regularly.
STATUS OF HONG KONG PASSPORTS
23.
Recent developments concerning Asian holders of British
passports in Uganda have disturbed the Unofficial Members of Exco and
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