New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS): In a bid to boost people-to people exchanges and help businesses, Japan on Tuesday announced visa relaxation measures effective from January 1, 2018, for Indian nationals seeking multiple-entry and short-stay visas.

According to a statement issued by the Japanese Embassy here, under the new measures, an applicant need no longer furnish employment certificate and explanation letter stating the reason for applying for multiple-entry visa while seeking this category of visa.

Applicants will be able to apply for multiple-entry visa with only three documents -- passport, visa application form with photo and documents to prove the financial capability (for tourism purpose) or documents to prove the applicants affiliation to certain enterprises (for business purpose).

According to the statement, multiple-entry visas with validity of five years maximum and period of stay of maximum 90 days will be issued to applicants who have travel records to Japan twice or more in the last one year. In this case, the eligible applicants may submit only their passports and visa application form.

"The relaxations are expected to help further development of people-to-people exchanges between Japan and India by enhancing convenience for Indian tourists and business persons as well as repeat visitors," it stated.

In February this year, Japan introduced the simplification of visa application procedure for single entry visa for Indian students to promote visit of Indian youths to Japan. This allowed for Indian students, graduate students and alumni of universities in India to submit certificate of student status or graduation instead of the document to prove financial capability in the application for single entry visa for short-term stay.