(Photo: CC0 Public domain)
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is looking for new resources to fill the gaping hole in Japan’s public finances. And what better way than to tax travellers, who have the weakness of not being voters? It’s a classic formula, and in the end Japan is simply adopting an idea that already exists elsewhere.
Japan is therefore preparing to substantially increase the fees imposed on international visitors. From July, travellers will have to pay a higher departure tax. According to the Kyodo News agency, this will triple from 1,000 yen (€5.50) to 3,000 yen (around €16.30). The authorities estimate that revenue from the tax increase will reach nearly 740 million euros. This is 2.7 times more than the previous fiscal year for the 2026 financial year. The tax applies to all modes of transport, ships and planes alike. Only transit passengers leaving the country within 24 hours of arrival are exempt.
The government has put forward a number of arguments to justify the increase in this tax: improving tourist infrastructures, better management of waste left by visitors, combating over-tourism by supporting regional destinations.
Japan plans to introduce electronic pre-authorisation for travel in 2028
Electronic authorisation in 2028
But this is not the only increase that will hit travellers’ wallets. The country has also decided to increase the fees for issuing a visa. This decision should have no impact on travellers from France, Switzerland or Belgium, as all three countries are visa-free.
However, from 2028, the Japan will also be introducing a travel authorisation system Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA). Travellers from visa waiver countries, including South Korea, will be required to submit their personal details online and obtain authorisation prior to arrival.
Inspired by the American ESTA system, JESTA aims to strengthen security and combat illegal working. Although the exact amount of the fee has not yet been decided, there is talk of it costing between 2,000 and 3,000 yen (around 11 to 16.30 euros) per traveller.
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AloJapan.com