(Yicai Global) April 8 -- Tourists from China will be able to apply for visas online for their trips to Japan from next month, according to the country's foreign affairs ministry.

China will become the first country to enjoy online visa applications for  Japan, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television reported its government as  saying today. 

Japan will abolish paper visas from April 2020 and shift to an electronic system using cloud management.

Chinese tourist numbers to Japan soared 13.9 percent to 8.3 million last year,  according to data from the Japan Tourism Agency. They made up over a  quarter of total visitors and also ranked first in terms of spending. 

The Japanese government aims to welcome 40 million tourists in 2020 when  the country hosts the Olympic and Paralympic games. Chinese visitors  represent a key component in the country's efforts to reach the target. 

Japan  has adjusted visa conditions for Chinese tourists multiple times in  recent years. It streamlined procedures recently making it possible for  Chinese people who have visited Japan at least twice within three years  to forgo the submission of financial documents when applying. The policy  also covers undergraduates, postgraduates and recent graduates. 

Editor: William Clegg