Manila: The Japanese Embassy in Manila has attributed the shortage of appointment slots for securing a Japanese visa to an unprecedented surge in visa applications among Filipinos, particularly for the upcoming spring season.
According to Philippines News Agency, the embassy revealed in a statement that visa applications from Filipinos have reached unprecedented levels, excluding the period during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this surge in demand, the embassy announced a fundamental overhaul of its visa processing system starting April 2025. This overhaul aims to maintain proper screening quality while streamlining the process.
Data provided by the embassy indicates that the issuance of short-stay visas to Philippine passport holders has increased more than sixfold over the past decade, rising from at least 73,143 in 2013 to over 450,000 in 2023. This number further increased to 490,907 last year.
To address the rising demand and expedite visa processing, the embassy officially opened its visa application center in April. Additionally, an e-visa system was introduced in December for tourists traveling to Japan via package tours organized by designated travel agencies.
The embassy stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges as a foundation of the relationship between the Philippines and Japan. It welcomed the growing interest of Filipino visitors, noting a record high of 880,000 Filipino visitors expected in 2025.
As the 70th Anniversary of Philippines-Japan Friendship approaches, the embassy reiterated its commitment to strengthening these people-to-people exchanges, recognizing their significance in bilateral relations.
