A 200,000sqm shopping mall is planned to open in the spring of 2013 near Narita International Airport targeting an expected boom in Chinese tourists to the country, it has been reported.

Chelsea Japan Co, a joint venture company owned by Mitsubishi Estate Co and US-based Simon Property Group Inc, is planning to open the new mall in Shisui Town, Chiba Prefecture, to the south east of the airport, according to the Kyodo News.

The move follows the announcement on July 1 that the Japanese government was relaxing visa rules to allow Chinese nationals earning 60,000 yuan per year or more to visit the country.

By Oliver Clark