Travelers are asking: How did Japan visa slots suddenly vanish?
The Embassy of Japan has fully contracted out its consular services. So what gives?
Insiders say a mega-conglomerate quietly secured a massive chunk of visa processing allocations since November last year. New slots are said to open only in April.
The visa allocations are not for urgent corporate missions. Not for investors. But allegedly as perks for premium clients.
Translation: If you’re one of their VIPs, sakura season is on. If you’re a regular tourist? Good luck.
Rivals are calling it what it looks like: Corporate-style scalping dressed up as “customer incentives.”
Now the uncomfortable chatter in travel circles: Is bulk control of visa access even fair game, or did someone just weaponize market muscle in the most unexpected place?
Because when one group’s loyalty program starts freezing everyone else’s travel plans, that’s not just power. That’s abuse of power?