TOKYO: The Japanese government has relaxed the visa requirements for international artists in order to revive the entertainment industry after being severely impacted by COVID-19.
Previously, overseas artists could either stay for a maximum of 15 days while earning over ¥500,000, or they had to perform in a venue with a minimum seating capacity of 100 people.
Artists who didn’t meet these requirements had to have three years of experience performing abroad or on a stage of at least 13 square meters.
The new regulations will allow artists to stay 30 days in the country, instead of 15, while performing in any venue that has a capacity of 100 people or more, whether it’s seating or standing.
If they don’t meet these requirements, they can still come to Japan if the event organizer or manager has three or more years of experience related to international performances.
Promoters in South Korea are reportedly eyeing these changes because of the huge success that K-pop artists usually receive in Japan.
Japan is the second-largest music market in the world, after the United States, according to the International Federation of Phonographic Industry, which is a non-profit organization that represents musicians’ interests globally.
In 2022, ticket sales for live music performances reached around ¥565 billion.
The new visa rules will be applied to performers in music, dance, and theater; however, they will not be applied to dance clubs and discos as they operate under the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business Law.