World’s ‘friendliest nation’ on brink of charging – Travel News
The world’s “friendliest” nation is reportedly taking a look at charging a increased vacationer tax, because it sees over 30 million guests this yr. 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 varied elements, together with the doable 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 stated final week. The increase, which can come into impact in 2026, might make Japan’s vacationer tax equal to these in place within the US and Europe. Japan’s present visa charges are among the many lowest globally – a single-entry visa prices round $20, and a multiple-entry visa prices $40.
This could be the primary increase to Japan’s visa charges since 1978. But the change is taken into account needed contemplating the record-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 report in 2019 of 31.8 million.
The first half of this yr has seen 21.5 million guests, a 21% increase year-on-year. Projections recommended that the full-year complete might attain a record-breaking 45 million guests.
June 2025 set a new month-to-month report with over 3.37 million guests – the ninth consecutive month with over three million guests.
The spike in tourism is believed to be brought on by a weak Yen, elevated low-cost service flights, cultural appeal, and an increase of Chinese vacationers.
But there are additionally overtourism issues of overcrowding, pressure on infrastructure, and customer conduct and manners similar to thoughtless photograph taking, noise, and littering.
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