Filipinos Can Now Secure Business, Investor Visas to Japan

Filipinos can now secure business and investor visas to Japan following amendments to the trade deal between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan.

Officially called the First Protocol to Amend the Asean-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement, the document signed on March 2 outlines additional ways service suppliers can move within the region, said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Among other implications, DTI said in a statement that Filipino professionals such as lawyers, economists, engineers, accountants and even those in the humanities can stay up to five years in Japan.

Entry and temporary stay will also be granted to accompanying spouses and children as dependents of any Filipino business person or professional given permission to temporarily stay in Japan under the amended agreement, DTI said.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez signed the document on behalf of Asean member-states together with Minister Hiroshige Seko of Japan.

The protocol has provisions on trade in services, movement of natural persons, and investment that will be incorporated into the AJCEP agreement.

AJCEP is a free trade deal between the 10 member-states of Asean and Japan that came into...