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Government Plans to Increase Travel Related Taxes for Foreigners


Topic Overview
New Travel Costs Coming to Japan by 2028：
While many countries already have systems like ESTA or charge extra fees for immigration and entry, Japan has long been generous toward foreign visitors, keeping taxes and government related fees relatively low. However, the Japanese government now plans to raise taxes and fees for foreign nationals to secure new sources of revenue.

Main Changes


1.Departure tax increase – currently 1,000 yen, could rise closer to international levels

2.Higher visa and residency fees – Japan’s visa fees haven’t changed since 1978

3. Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization(JESTA) – starting in 2028, similar to the U.S. ESTA system, with a planned fee around 6,000 yen.


The government plans to use the additional revenue to reduce airport congestion, strengthen immigration screening, and expand free high school tuition. However, some experts have voiced concerns that highly raising costs could discourage international travel and culture exchange. Additionally, some politicians have proposed abolishing tax free shopping for foreign tourists, though others argue that this is not the right approach.

My personal view

As someone who travels frequently, I wouldn’t be excited about these changes. However, as a Japanese citizen, I think this could be a good opportunity for Japan to make a shift, since many other countries have already introduced similar measures. Japan has long been very generous toward tourists, which has helped it become a major tourist destination. That said, the government should also take fair and thoughtful measures that benefit its own citizens.


Why I decided to focus on this issue


I love to travel, and whenever I visit other countries, I pay close attention to entry procedures and immigration systems. These processes often have a strong impact on a traveler’s experience, yet they are sometimes overlooked. By learning about how different countries manage entry fees and authorization systems, I became more aware of how such policies affect both tourists and local citizens. This made me interested in how Japan’s upcoming changes may influence international travel and cultural exchange, which is why I chose this topic.


1) Ryall, J., & Ryall, J. (2023, May 1). Japan’s ‘golden week’ holiday season starts early, as citizens make up for time lost in Covid. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3219008/japans-golden-week-holiday-season-starts-early-citizens-make-time-lost-covid

2) Japan plans to raise departure and visa fees for foreign tourists | The Asahi Shimbun Asia & Japan Watch. (n.d.). The Asahi Shimbun. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16100215

2

Comments

  1. jodias19 November 2025 at 16:12

    Remember that a blog is meant not only to provide readers with information but it should also show the viewpoint and opinions of the blogger. So, the reader may wonder why you chose to write about this particular topic (for example, are you worried about how these changes may affect your friends who live abroad and visit Japan regularly?). Do you think the changes are fair? If so, why? Do they reflect what other countries are doing and, therefore, just a matter of fairness? Also, you may need to explain a bit more about how these rule changes are related to law.

    Your photo didn't appear as it should, so you might want to try reposting it. Remember to import the photo rather than just "drag and drop."

    Spend a bit more time on formatting, making the font large enough for readers to read without straining their eyes and without having to use magnification.

    Try to avoid using references that are behind pay walls, such as the South China Morning Post article. Do you have a subscription to the South China Morning Post? I wouldn't have been able to read the article without paying for a subscription.

    ReplyDelete

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