Japan triples departure tax to combat overtourism
All travellers leaving the country, including Japanese citizens, are required to pay the levy, which is added to the price of air, cruise and other tickets purchased from July 1, 2026.
TOKYO - Japan raised its departure tax, formally known as the International Tourist Tax, from 1,000 yen (about US$6.14) to 3,000 yen (about US$18.5), effective Wednesday.
All travellers leaving the country, including Japanese citizens, are required to pay the levy, which is added to the price of air, cruise and other tickets purchased from July 1, 2026, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The government plans to use the extra revenue to address the growing problem of overtourism across Japan, the report said.
According to the Japan Tourism Agency, departure tax revenue reached a record high of about 52.5 billion yen (about US$320.3 million) in fiscal 2024, which ended in March 2025.
The tax increase is projected to generate roughly 130 billion yen (about US$793 million) in revenue for fiscal 2026. - BERNAMA
Download Sinar Daily application.Click Here!
