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TOKYO, November 12, 2025 - The Japanese government is moving to increase the financial burden on foreign tourists as part of its strategy to tackle the growing problem of overtourism. The measures currently under review include a significant hike in the so-called "exit tax," officially known as the International Tourist Tax, and an increase in visa application fees for foreigners.

According to a report by the Mainichi Shimbun on Tuesday, the government is considering raising the International Tourist Tax from the current ¥1,000 (approximately $6.70) to ¥3,000 (approximately $20) or more. This move echoes a statement made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on September 30, ahead of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election, where she suggested raising the fee to ¥3,000.

The collected revenue from the increased exit tax is intended to be used for measures addressing issues related to overtourism, such as traffic congestion and a minority of foreign visitors violating local regulations. The tax generated ¥39.9 billion (approximately $267 million) in the 2023 fiscal year (April 2023 – March 2024).

However, as the exit tax applies to everyone departing Japan, including citizens, the increase will also place a greater financial strain on Japanese nationals. To mitigate this domestic concern, the government is reportedly exploring the possibility of using a portion of the expanded tax revenue to lower passport issuance fees for Japanese citizens.

Separately, the Japanese government has also decided to raise the visa issuance fee for foreigners visiting Japan starting from April next year. The current fee for a single-entry visa is around ¥3,000. The government is considering raising this to a level comparable to that of Western nations, such as the United States, which charges $185 (approximately ¥27,000) for business and tourist visas. This would mark Japan's first increase in visa fees since 1978.

These proposed financial increases, however, have not been met without caution within the government. The Mainichi Shimbun reported that some officials are urging a more prudent approach, stressing the necessity of "sufficient consideration for foreigners and tourism businesses," as the increased costs could potentially discourage foreign visitors from choosing Japan as a destination. The dual approach of higher exit taxes and increased visa fees signals the government's serious intent to manage the volume and impact of international tourism while attempting to find a balance between revenue generation and maintaining Japan's appeal to the global traveler.