Japan has agreed to expand the granting of Japanese visas for Chinese visitors on group tours from the previous designated areas to the entire country.

Media commentators said the agreement might help enhance understanding between the two peoples and improve souring bilateral relations. Currently, groups of Chinese citizens from only eight provinces and municipalities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong Province are allowed to travel to Japan.

But on Saturday, an agreement was reached during a meeting between Kazuo Kitagawa, Japan's Land, Infrastructure and Transport minister, and Shao Qiwei, director of the China National Tourism Administration.

"The complete opening to group travel by Chinese citizens to Japan will bring new opportunities for the two countries to further expand cooperation in tourism," said Vice-Premier Wu Yi when addressing a reception at the weekend to mark the Sino-Japanese tourism exchanges.

Kitagawa initially offered a plan in January to expand the visa granting for Chinese visitors for the duration of the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture which runs through to September 25 but China wanted the expanded arrangement on a permanent basis.

The two governments have agreed in principle not to set a time limit on the expansion, which officially begins on July 25.

Around one-third of overseas travelers to Japan last year were from China, reported Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, citing statistics from Japan's Ministry of Justice. That is why the Japanese Government regards the Chinese mainland as a potential market for prospering its sightseeing industry, the report said.

The Japanese Government has agreed to increase the number of overseas travelers from the current 5 million a year to 10 million by 2010.

"The fact that we can now have Chinese visitors from all over the country is a notable development," Kitagawa said.

Domestic tourist businesses also welcomed the agreement.

Li Shuming, deputy general manager of Beijing-based Trust Tour Services told China Central Television that his company would soon arrange some tourist routes to benefit those who want to go sightseeing in Japan.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2005)