144 visa free transit

Thanks Saul for your prompt reply.
I did not properly tell you my itinerary.
The cruise is Singapore to Shanghai.
We call at Hong Kong for 2 nights then go to Tapei Okinawa Nagasaki Hakata ( last 3 are in Japan) and then
finally disembark in Shanghai. 3 nights in hotel in Shanghai then fly home via Hong Kong ( transit only in airport to change planes) to Australia.
My understanding is we are eligible for the free visa entry.

Thanks

Derek