Brazil Reintroduces Visas for Japanese Tourists
「ブラジルが日本人観光客のビザを再導入」について考えてみましょう。2023年10月1日から、ブラジルはボルソナロ前大統領の2019年の決定を覆し、米国、オーストラリア、カナダ、日本の国民に観光ビザの取得を義務付けることになりました。ブラジル外務省は、これらの国が現在もブラジル人観光客にVISAを要求していることから、「平等な扱い」の原則を理由に挙げています。しかし、ブラジルの観光業界ではこの動きを批判する声もあり、政治学者のレオナルド・パスは、ルーラ・ダ・シルヴァ大統領のより主張の強い外交政策の一環と見ています。(English) Let's think about "Brazil Reintroduces Visas for Japanese Tourists". Starting October 1, 2023, Brazil will require US, Australian, Canadian, and Japanese citizens to obtain tourist visas, reversing former President Bolsonaro's 2019 decision. Brazil's foreign ministry cited the principle of "equal treatment," as these countries still demand Visas from Brazilian tourists. However, some in Brazil's tourism industry have criticized the move, and political scientist Leonardo Paz sees it as part of President Lula da Silva's more assertive foreign policy.
Brazil Reintroduces Visas for Japanese Tourists
From October 1, Brazil will start requiring US, Australian, Canadian, and Japanese citizens to obtain tourist visas to enter the country.
In 2019, former president Jair Bolsonaro removed visa requirements for those countries to promote Brazil's tourism industry. However, the US, Australia, Canada and Japan still demanded visas from Brazilian tourists.
A foreign ministry statement said Brazil's migration policy was historically based on "equal treatment." However, the ministry added that the government is ready to negotiate new visa agreements collaboratively.
Bolsonaro criticized the decision last week, writing on Twitter that it would lead to "Fewer jobs and less stimulus of the hotel sector."
According to Leonardo Paz, a Brazilian political scientist, decisions made without a reciprocal agreement — like the one made by Bolsonaro — are rare in diplomacy. Reintroducing visa requirements is part of new President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's ambition to have a more assertive foreign policy than Bolsonaro, Paz said.
Still, many people in Brazil's tourism industry have been critical of the decision.
The CEO of the cable cars on Sugar Loaf Mountain — one of Rio de Janeiro's top tourist attractions — criticized the decision. Sandro Fernandes told Folhapress that the decision would be a "setback" and argued that Brazil should be removed — not adding — visa requirements for foreign visitors.
Before the coronavirus pandemic began, Brazil received 6.4 million tourists in 2019, far below Mexico's 45 million and less than Argentina's 7.4 million.
Brazil's tourism ministry data show that visits from Americans, Australians, Canadians and Japanese people fell between 2019 and 2021.
Still, the pandemic is responsible mainly as it caused the global tourism industry to come almost to a stop.
//New words//
1. reciprocal
Adjective
rɪˈsɪprəkəl
involving two people or groups who agree to do or give the same things to each other
In 2019, the US and Japan signed a reciprocal trade agreement to reduce tariffs on various goods.
2. stimulus
Noun
ˈstɪmjələs
something that encourages development, growth, improvement, etc.
The government's stimulus package provided funds to support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. diplomacy
Noun
dɪˈploʊməsiː
the job, activity or skill of managing relationships between countries
The UN relies on diplomacy to maintain peace and resolve international disputes.
4. cable car
Noun
ˈkeɪbəl kɑːr
a transportation system in which cabins or vehicles are pulled by a cable, typically up and down a mountain
We took a cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain when we visited Rio de Janeiro.
5. setback
Noun
ˈsɛtˌbæk
something that delays or prevents progress or success
The team suffered a major setback when their star player got injured at the start of the game.
6. migration
Noun
maɪˈgreɪʃən
the movement of a large number of people to a new area or country to live and work
The Irish Potato Famine triggered a massive migration to the United States in the 19th century.
Discussion
1. What are your thoughts on Brazil's visa requirement changes?
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I think it's a disappointment.
Without a visa, they can easily travel with each other.
It is necessary to communicate with each other to create a situation where visas are not required.
2. Is Brazil a popular tourist destination for people from your country?
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Rio de Janeiro and Rio Carnival are very famous in Japan.
However, Hawaii, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain and France are more famous.
https://www.nta.co.jp/media/tripa/articles/bi5fi
3. Has your country changed its visa rules in recent years?
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It doesn't look like there are any changes.
The Japanese government takes time to decide everything.
4. Have you ever travelled to a country that required a visa? Was it challenging to get?
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When I went to Hawaii, I needed a visa.
I had to fill in many items from the web in advance.
However, many Japanese people have created websites that can be used as references on how to write, so it was beneficial.
5. What first things come to mind when you think of Brazil?
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It's the Rio Carnival.
In 2023, Rio's Carnival resumed for the first time in three years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtVD59H66YQ
Further Discussion
6. Would you instead visit Brazil, Mexico, or Argentina?
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No, I don't think I will go to those countries.
I am interested in European culture and history.
But of course, I like Brazilian and Mexican restaurants.
I especially like Brazilian coffee.
7. What do you think motivates tourists to visit your county?
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I think there are several reasons for that.
For example, Japanese cuisine is unique, healthy and delicious.
There are also many historical sightseeing spots in Kyoto and Nara.
Modern cities such as Tokyo and Osaka also have many sightseeing spots.
8. Were any of your travel plans affected by the pandemic?
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Fortunately, we could go to Hawaii last minute in winter 2020.
For the next three years, we were unable to make travel plans.
Recently, however, I have been able to start planning nearby trips.
9. How far in advance do you usually plan your trips?
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We usually plan for three to six months or even a year.
New Year and summer holidays are very crowded and expensive, so I would like to go on a trip during regular holidays as much as possible.
10. If you could only visit one more country worldwide, which would you choose?
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I want to go to France.
I especially want to go to Nice in the south of France and visit the Matisse Chapel.
Matisse is my favourite painter; his stained glass creations are truly unique.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapelle_du_Rosaire_de_Vence
Add info)
Which countries require/do not require a visa on a Japanese passport?
https://esta-center.com/requiredvisa/index.html
33 countries require a visa to travel
South America Region Brazil
European region Russia
Caribbean Cuba
Middle East Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Asian region North Korea, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.
Oceania Nauru
Africa Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon, etc.