Wednesday's cabinet meeting made a decision to free the Japanese citizens from the visa to enter Mongolia. In other words, the Japanese can stay here for 30 days without visa.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs G.Zandanshatar stated that the main aim of this decision is to increase number of Japanese tourists to Mongolia. Within the last decade, 12-14 thousand Japanese visited Mongolia a year.
A first step to free the Japanese from the visa was made in 2006, during the 800th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire. It covered the old people, those who had difficulties in filling various forms and in getting to Tokyo to receive visa. Thanks to this, the number of Japanese tourists exceeded 20 thousand that year.
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism shows that one tourist spends some USD 350 in Mongolia. "It means that some USD 13-14 million might be earned a year," said the Minister. 

Ulaanbaatar, /MONTSAME/