The Japanese government tripled the departure tax to 3,000 yen per person on July 1 to fund measures against issues from the surge in inbound tourism.
The tax is collected when purchasing air or sea tickets and applies to all departing passengers regardless of nationality. Exemptions cover transit passengers staying less than 24 hours and children under age 2.
Revenue will support congestion relief at popular sites and regional tourism projects. Visa fees rose fivefold to 15,000 yen for single entry and 30,000 yen for multiple entry. This marks the first increase since 1978.
Passport application fees for Japanese nationals were reduced at the same time. A 10-year passport now costs 9,300 yen, with further discounts for online applications.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the visa changes reflect inflation and yen depreciation and are not expected to immediately affect inbound tourism. The tax raised about 49 billion yen in fiscal 2025 and is projected to generate around 130 billion yen in fiscal 2026.