The Embassy of Japan on Wednesday said it will open a new visa processing center on April 7 in five cities to meet a backlog in speed up applications.

The visa applications will be handled by VFS Global, a visa outsourcing and technology services firm for government and diplomatic missions.

'' In order to provide better service and convenience to those applying for visas, we have decided to open the Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC) to accept and issue visa applications,'' an embassy statement said.

Five branches of the visa center will be opened in Paranaque City, Makati City, Quezon City, Cebu City, and Davao City.

The applicants must go through accredited travel agencies.

The visa centers will be open for applications from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 2 pm in Paranaque, Makati, and Quezon, and on Monday to Friday from 7 am to 12 pm in Cebu and Davao.

Applications for visa on or before April 6, 2025, submitted through accredited travel agencies will still be processed through the old method, where the agencies submit the applications directly to the Japanese Embassy.

Last January, the Embassy advised Filipinos to apply for a tourist visa at least two months before they leave for Japan. DMS-Yzabela-Velez White

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Manibela to hold three-day strike starting Monday

Transport group Manibela will conduct a three-day transport strike starting next Monday.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said that the protest is due to the inaccurate jeepney consolidated figures presented by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Department of Transportation (DOTr).

"So starting on Monday ... we are declaring a Nationwide Transport Strike", Valbuena said.

"We are asking for understanding from our beloved commuters but our livelihood is the one at stake here. We know that this will affect your commute but it will only be for a limited time", he added.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DOTr has instructed Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Dioscoro Reyes to talk to "concerned transport groups ASAP".

"The Department hopes that instead of a transport strike, we sit down for a dialogue to work together to keep commuters safe and comfortable while ensuring that the welfare of our drivers and operators are protected", it added. Marie Manalili/DMS