Turkey summons Japanese ambassador over new visa system

ANKARA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Turkey summoned Japanese ambassador to Ankara over Japan's new visa system that would not accept workers from Turkey, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

In November last year, Japanese parliament approved a draft bill that will regulate the country's immigration control by creating new visa system for foreign nationals.

Under the new law, Turkey was among the countries whose workers would not be accepted by Japan.

The spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a written statement that the move did not reflect the spirit of the strategic partnership between the two countries, describing it "disappointing."

Japan's new visa system will come into effect in April.