By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Travelers planning a trip to Japan should take note: Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance recently announced plans to introduce a “departure tax” of around 1,000 Japanese yen (approximately NT$268) for all Japanese nationals and foreign travelers departing from Japan starting in 2019. The tax may be added to airline ticket prices.
Japan Plans to Introduce a “Departure Tax” Starting in 2019 (Image / pixabay)
The departure tax will apply to both Japanese nationals and foreign travelers. Relevant opinions are currently being collected, with plans to revise the tax system in 2018 and implement the tax in 2019. If introduced, the tax will likely be added to airline ticket prices, which could disproportionately affect low-cost carriers. The announcement has already drawn backlash and various opinions from tourism industry stakeholders, sparking widespread discussion.
The departure tax is planned for implementation in 2019 following tax system revisions in 2018 (Image / MOOK)
With the number of visitors to Japan increasing every year, the Japanese government aims to boost annual tourist arrivals to 40 million by 2020 and 60 million by 2030. To help preserve tourist attractions and cultural heritage sites, Japan is following the example of European and American countries by introducing a departure tax, which is expected to generate an additional 40 billion yen in revenue per year.
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