Japan announced it will significantly increase visa fees for tourists from over 100 countries starting in July, in a move aimed at tightening immigration controls under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration. The single-entry visa fee for affected travelers will rise from about $18 to $93, while multiple-entry visas will increase from approximately $37 to $186.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi explained during a news briefing that the fees had not been adjusted for 48 years and cited inflation and currency fluctuations as reasons for the revision. The new charges will apply to visitors from nations including China, India, and Vietnam, which were among Japan’s largest sources of tourists in the previous year. Tourists from countries such as the United States and approximately 70 others are exempt from the fee due to existing visa exemption arrangements. Japan plans to introduce an electronic authorization system called Jesta in 2028 for visa-exempt travelers, though any associated fees have yet to be determined.
The government stated the additional revenue from the increased visa fees will subsidize reduced passport fees for Japanese nationals, with a decrease of roughly $43 expected. The policy forms part of a broader agenda championed by Ms. Takaichi and her Liberal Democratic Party, which gained a strong mandate in a February snap election by advocating stricter immigration and national security measures.
Critics argue that the administration’s approach targets both illegal and legal foreign residents, reflecting a more restrictive stance on immigration. Yoichi Kinoshita, a former Immigration Bureau official and visa industry adviser, said the government has shifted its focus from curbing illegal immigration to imposing tougher conditions on all foreigners. He noted that the hardline policies have appeal among conservative segments of the population.
Recent changes include tightened visa regulations that have forced some foreign entrepreneurs, particularly owners of small eateries like curry and noodle shops, to close. Additionally, a proposed amendment to increase residence permit fees has drawn criticism. The new legislation suggests raising permanent residence application fees to as much as 300,000 yen (over $1,800), up from the current fee of around 60 dollars. Proceeds would fund services such as Japanese language education for foreign residents. However, immigrant advocacy groups and major bar associations in Tokyo and Osaka have condemned the proposal, describing the fee hike as an excessive imposition on foreigners. The Tokyo Bar Association expressed concerns about the government easing requirements for revoking permanent resident status alongside stricter fee structures.
The government has linked concerns about increased tourism to issues with illegal immigration. After reopening international borders following the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan experienced a surge in tourist arrivals, with a record 42.6 million visitors last year. This influx sparked complaints from local residents about overcrowding, littering, and disruptions at cultural and religious sites in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.
While tourism remains economically significant, Ms. Takaichi has emphasized that visitors must adhere to rules and standards of conduct. “Illegal acts and deviations from the rules by some foreign nationals are causing anxiety and a sense of unfairness among the public,” she said in a November meeting on coexistence with foreigners. “While drawing a clear line against xenophobia, the government will respond firmly to such misconduct.”
Visitor arrivals have begun to decline, with data from the Japan National Tourism Organization showing a 3.6 percent decrease in May compared to the same month last year. The decline is especially notable among Chinese tourists, reflecting ongoing diplomatic tensions between Japan and China.