How can Australian tourist in Japan get multi entry visa for China for a cruise in April

Asked by Clare from Australia
How Australian tourist can get multi entry for cruise China whilst in Japan

I am seeking advice on how to obtain a multi entry L for China. I am currently in Japan on a tourist visa which expires on 4 April 2013.

I will be visiting China on the cruise ship Volendam in April 2013.

The ship will visit the following ports:
Dalian - 06 April 2013, 7am to 4pm
Xingang (Beijing)- 07 April 2013, arrive 8am, depart 7pm on 08 April 2013
Shanghai - 11 April 2013, arrive 8am, depart 6pm on12 April 2013.

I understand that the ship will be at sea between Xingang and Shanghai on 09 and 10 April 2013. It will not be visiting ports in any other country between Xingang and Shanghai.

I had originally approached the Chinese Embassy in Canberra Australia in December 2012 for the multi entry prior to leaving for Japan so that there would be no problems down the track. I was told by Chinese Embassy in Canberra that as teh cruise did not depart until 1 April 2013 it was too early for them to give me it. I have been in Japan since 4 January 2013.
When I went to the Chinese Consulate in Osaka today I was told that as I was an Australian passport holder in Japan as a tourist they could not give me a multi entry visa for China. They said that they could only give me a single entry visa. They said that perhaps the Embassy in Tokyo may give me a multi entry but they were not sure. I tried to ring Chinese Embassy in Tokyo a number of times but phone did not answer
I am staying in Kyoto and do not plan to visit Tokyo before I leave for cruise. Kyoto is some distance from Tokyo and it would cost me a substantial amount to go to Tokyo to make application and then again to pick it up.
Does anyone have any advice on how to handle this situation.