Travel to Japan gets more expensive as the country imposes an exit tax on all global travelers

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Travelers planning to visit Japan in the future should take note — the Japan Tourism Agency and the Ministry of Finance recently announced plans to introduce an exit tax of approximately 1,000 Japanese yen (about NT$268) per person for all Japanese and foreign nationals departing from Japan, starting from 2019. The tax may be added to airline ticket prices.

The exit tax will apply to both Japanese citizens and foreign travelers. Currently, relevant opinions are still being gathered, with plans to revise the tax system in 2018 and implement the policy in 2019. If introduced, the tax is likely to be levied by adding it to airfare prices, which could hit low-cost carriers the hardest. The announcement has sparked strong opposition and a range of opinions from many tourism industry players, prompting widespread discussion.

With the number of visitors to Japan increasing year by year, the Japanese government aims to boost annual tourist arrivals to 40 million by 2020 and 60 million by 2030. To help preserve various tourist attractions and cultural heritage sites, the Japanese government is following the example of European and American countries by introducing an exit tax, which is expected to generate an additional 40 billion yen in revenue per year.