Hong Kong and Japan today exchanged a note verbale to mark the establishment of a new bilateral working holiday scheme to benefit young people in the two jurisdictions from January 1.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung and Japanese Consul-General and Ambassador Shigekazu Sato signed the document today.

The scheme will see 250 people from each side stay up to a year in each other's territory, allowing them to work to finance their stay.

Hong Kong applicants should hold an SAR or British National (Overseas) passport and be aged 18 to 30. Application details will be advertised on the Japanese consulate website from December.

Japanese applicants can contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department by phone (2824 6111) or get information on its website.