Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Japan is preparing to sharply raise fees imposed on international visitors, beginning in July next year. Additional entry-related charges are also planned in the coming years, according to a report by Kyodo News.
The measures come as the current administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi drafts the largest national budget in Japan’s history. Many analysts argue that tourism is increasingly perceived as the cash cow to cover a widening budget deficit.
Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government has finalized plans to triple the current departure levy (officially known as the International Tourist Tax) from 1,000 yen (about US$7) to 3,000 yen (about US$20) per person starting in July 2026. Authorities estimate that revenue from the tax will bring in the State coffers roughly 130 billion yen (about US$870 million) in fiscal 2026. This would represent nearly 2.7 times the amount collected the previous year.
The International Tourist Tax was first introduced in January 2019 and applies to all passengers aged two and older leaving Japan by air or sea, regardless of nationality. The charge is automatically included in airfare and boat ticket prices. Airline crew members and passengers transiting through Japan within 24 hours are exempt. The government has said the funds are intended to improve tourism infrastructure and support regional destinations.
Tripling the departure tax by July 2026
Officials justify the higher tax as a tool to combat over-tourism. They explain that visitors should bear part of the cost associated with congestion, waste management, and pressure on public services.
Further costs are expected later in the decade. From 2028, Japan plans to introduce a pre-entry screening system known as the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA). Travelers from visa-free countries will be required to submit personal information online and receive approval prior to arrival.
Modeled after the U.S. ESTA program, JESTA is designed to enhance security and curb illegal employment. While the exact fee has not yet been finalized, officials are discussing a charge of 2,000 to 3,000 yen (about US$13–20) per traveler. Combined with the higher departure tax, visitors could face total mandatory fees of roughly 5,000 to 6,000 yen (about US$33–40) per person.
Japan is also planning to raise visa issuance fees as early as next year. The move would affect important market sources such as China PRC.
Economists say the expanding set of charges reflects Japan’s worsening fiscal outlook. The Cabinet approved a record US$815 billion budget for fiscal 2026 as social security spending linked to an aging population rises alongside increased defense budget. According to the Ministry of Finance, Japan’s national debt now stands at roughly twice its GDP, the highest ratio among G7 economies.
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