The world’s “friendliest” nation is reportedly charging a greater vacationer tax, as it sees over 30 million guests this 12 months. Japan’s authorities is contemplating charging international nationals more to enter the nation.
Japan is commonly cited as a pleasant nation, notably for its politeness, helpfulness, and the idea of omotenashi (hospitality). Tokyo has been named among the many world’s friendliest cities by Rough Guides, the likes of Dublin and Marrakesh. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya revealed that the federal government is weighing numerous components, together with the attainable affect of a tax on inbound tourism. The particulars of this review have not been finalised. “We’ll examine the fees set in other countries. I believe Japan’s fees are quite low at present,” Iwaya mentioned final week. The increase, which can come into impact in 2026, may make Japan’s vacationer tax equal to these in place in the US and Europe. Japan’s present visa charges are among the many lowest globally – a single-entry visa prices round $20, and a a number of-entry visa prices $40.
This can be the primary increase to Japan’s visa charges since 1978. But the change is taken into account mandatory contemplating the document-breaking numbers going to Japan and the toll of this on visa processing.
In 2024, 36.9 million people travelled to Japan, a 47% increase from 2023 and beating the pre-pandemic document in 2019 of 31.8 million.
The first half of this 12 months has seen 21.5 million guests, a 21% increase year-on-year. Projections prompt that the total-12 months whole may attain a document-breaking 45 million guests.
June 2025 set a new month-to-month document with over 3.37 million guests – the ninth consecutive month with over three million guests.
The spike in tourism is believed to be attributable to a weak Yen, elevated low-cost service flights, cultural appeal, and an increase of Chinese tourists.
But there are additionally overtourism issues of overcrowding, pressure on infrastructure, and customer habits and manners such as thoughtless picture taking, noise, and littering.
