For the first time in 48 years, Japan will significantly raise visa fees and will also triple the current departure tax.

According to Japanese media, Japan will, starting July 1, raise the International Tourist Tax (departure tax) applied to those departing from Japan, and at the same time, will also raise visa fees for foreigners.

After the adjustment, the fee for a single-entry visa, which currently costs 3,000 yen, will become 15,000 yen, and the fee for a multiple-entry visa, which currently costs 6,000 yen, will become 30,000 yen, both increasing fivefold. The departure tax will increase threefold, from the current 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen.

According to the Japanese government, this adjustment aims to address overtourism, improve tourism infrastructure, and alleviate inflationary and exchange rate fluctuation pressures.

However, Japan's inbound tourism has recently been on a declining trend. The cumulative number of inbound tourists from January to May 2026 decreased by 1.1% compared to the same period last year.

Professor Xu Guangjian (XU GUANGJIAN) of the School of Public Administration at Renmin University of China pointed out, 'It is highly likely that low-income tourists will be shut out. Under the banner of a tourism-oriented nation policy, Japan's tourism market has developed and matured. Looking at inbound tourism-related data, there is no nationwide situation of overtourism.'

Regarding the alleviation of inflationary and exchange rate fluctuation pressures mentioned by the Japanese government, a little thought quickly reveals that it is baseless.

Professor Wan [Jiji] (WAN JIA) of Beijing Normal University stated, 'Both the departure tax and visa fees are taxes collected from abroad, and as they are unrelated to the supply and demand of goods or currency circulation within Japan, they have almost no effect on curbing domestic prices. Adjusting such small-scale tax revenues is insufficient to offset exchange rate fluctuation risks.'

After the adjustment of the departure tax and visa fees, Japan's 2026 fiscal year budget revenue will increase by approximately 200 billion yen. Compared to Japan's enormous foreign currency reserves (approximately 1.3 trillion USD according to Japan's Ministry of Finance) and the scale of yen-denominated transactions worldwide, this is merely a drop in the bucket.

According to Zhang Jianping (ZHANG JIANPING), Vice Chairman of the Academic Committee of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, the core driving force behind Japan's increase in tourism-related taxes is to alleviate its heavy financial pressures.

In April 2026, the Japanese government's outstanding debt reached 1,363.9 trillion yen, more than twice Japan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Compared to Japan's enormous government debt, the revenue generated by tourism-related tax adjustments is negligible. However, unlike exchange rate and inflation issues, for Japan to achieve fiscal soundness, these tax revenues might serve as a 'small supplement' that incurs low costs and faces relatively little resistance.

Regarding costs, the government only needs to revise the collection standards. Airport immigration checkpoints, visa systems, personnel, and processes are already in place, so no new costs will be incurred.

Regarding resistance, this measure cleverly avoids the most sensitive aspects of Japanese public opinion. According to Vice Chairman Zhang, 'collecting taxes from foreign tourists who do not have voting rights and a small number of their own citizens departing the country is a method of revenue generation that incurs low political costs, and skillfully avoids the political risks that would arise from directly taxing citizens domestically.'

Furthermore, Professor Wan pointed out, 'After the adjustment of related taxes, budget-conscious tourists may cancel their plans to visit Japan, which could rather be a blow to Japan's tourism industry, causing a chain reaction in the food and beverage and hotel accommodation industries, and potentially indirectly affecting other revenues.' (Provided by People's Daily Online Japanese Edition / Edited by KS)