Japan visa, tourism fee hikes to offset drop in tax revenue

Economy

Looming increases expected to help make up for end of gasoline surcharge

Japan looks to make its fiscal ends meet in part from higher fees paid mostly by foreigners, both visitors and residents. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)

KOSUKE TAKEUCHI

January 9, 2026 06:19 JST

TOKYO — Japanese fee increases this year that mostly target foreigners are expected to add roughly 350 billion yen ($2.23 billion) in annual revenue when combined with a departure tax hike, as Tokyo faces lost income after ending a gasoline surtax last month.