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Chinese likely to buy big amid blossoms
Chinese visitors are expected to engage in massive buying in Japan during the cherry blossom season through early April, after a similar spree during the Chinese New Year holidays in February. According to the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, the number of visas issued in March is expected to hit a single-month record of 146,000, about double that of a year before. A majority of the visas were issued for tourists, who are expected to enjoy both cherry blossom viewing and shopping. In China, April 4-6 are national holidays for the Qingming Festival. Many of the Chinese people who received visas in March are ... (full story)