MANILA - Filipino professionals and businessmen looking to either work or invest in Japan can be granted 5-year visas under a new trade agreement, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DTI said the Philippines, as part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, signed the First Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement last March 2 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The AJCEP is a free-trade deal that eliminates and gradually reduces tariffs on products between ASEAN countries and Japan.

“Under the protocol, several key features were agreed on that will facilitate the movement of service suppliers in the region,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Under the AJCEP, Filipinos can now be granted short-term to long-term business and investor visas to Japan, the DTI said.

Filipino professionals in the physical sciences, engineering, economics, law, business management and accounting, taxation, or specialists in the field of humanities can apply for visas of up to 5 years.

Their spouses and children will also be granted entry and temporary stay as dependents.

Japan started relaxing visa requirements for Filipinos last year, but those eyeing jobs in Japan are required to pass a technical and language skills examination.