The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned Chinese nationals planning to travel through Japan be prepared for for tightened measures from Japanese immigration authorities on passengers in transit.
Previously, tourists and business people travelling through Japan enjoyed a 72-hour visa-free stay in accordance with Japanese laws.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry recently said through its official website, however, that due to increasing fear of illegal immigrants on the part of Japanese authorities, some Chinese nationals flying via Japan have been denied exit from the airport.
Chinese travelers should now be careful in arranging their flights through Japan and should be ready in case of trouble with Japanese immigration officials, the Foreign Ministry noted.
(Chinadaily 09/30/2001)