TNAG-0335-FCO40-371-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 89

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JAPAN

Since 1962 there have been continuous efforts to conc

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 lit le

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,

Japnese 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 Br tigh

subjects from Hong Kong to be admitted to Japan without

visas for short visits. There is however no presont

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 the 1957

Exchange of Notes on the subject of continuous Vienu,

to British subjects from Hong Kong seeking to visit Japan regularly.