HOLIDAYMAKERS have been left gutted as the worlds "best country" has introduced new travel rules. Tourists jet setting to Japan have not been struck by visa requirements - until now. Dubbed the "best country in the world" many hopeful travellers could be left gutted when they discover the introduction of new requirements to enter the East Asian island.
Some 71 countries and regions could be affected as the Japanese government has announced its plans to introduce a "new travel authorisation system" which will require visitors to declare personal information to enter the country. This long list includes Canada , France , Germany , Greece , Hong Kong , Italy , New Zealand , Norway , Portugal , the US and of course Brits. Similar to America's ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation the new regulations have already been named JESTA .
Read more Travel News Whilst the US originally introduced the measure for anti-terrorism purposes, it seems the Japanese version will screen visitors before they are allowed to officially set foot on Japanese soil . The official reasoning behind the new system has been revealed as an attempt to reduce the number of illegal immigrants. At the moment, those coming from one of the 71 visa-exempt countries and regions are able to remain for as long as their period of stay is valid.
This varies depending on the individual's nationality and passport allowances but ranges from two weeks to 90 days. Most read in News Travel Currently, those who do .