Japan calls for peaceful solution to Thailand's political strife

BANGKOK, December 21 (TNA) - Japan has urged all parties concerned in Thailand to settle domestic political protests through democratic and peaceful means within the the constitutional framework as soon as possible. Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Shigekazu Sato made the remarks at a reception to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, organized by the Japanese Embassy at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok on Thursday evening. The Japanese top envoy sent a message to Thai people that the persisting political tension might affect the number of Japanese visitors to Thailand and cause a burden to the Japanese business sector, as Japan is now Thailand's largest trading partner and investor. Japan, which has had close and longstanding relationship with Thailand, has launched a visa waiver policy for Thai tourists as of July 1, 2013, thanks to the increasing number of Thai tourist arrivals in japan, now standing at about 400,000 annually. (TNA)