Travelers leaving Japan will be charged nearly $10 in tourism tax

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Travelers leaving Japan will incur almost $10 tourism tax

Starting next Monday (7-1), the Japanese government will implement a departure tax, also known as international tourist tax, at the rate of 1,000 Japanese yen (approx. $9.12) per person when they depart Japan by plane or ship.

Travelers leaving Japan will incur almost $10 tourism tax

According to the Japan Times, based on relevant laws activated since April last year, this fee will be levied each time individuals, regardless of nationality, leave Japan and will be added to other expenses such as airfares, sea fares, and transportation fees.

The Japanese government plans to utilize revenue from this tourism tax to enhance the capacity to accommodate more foreign tourists in Japan, develop tourism infrastructure, and expedite immigration procedures.

Under this law, individuals leaving Japan within 24 hours related to transit procedures and children under 2 years old will not be subject to this tax.

Travelers who purchase tickets and depart before the upcoming Monday two weeks from now (7-1) will essentially be exempt from this tax.

The estimated revenue from the departure tax reached approximately 6 billion yen in the fiscal year 2018 up to March 2019 and achieved 50 billion yen in the fiscal year 2019.

Specifically, the revenue from the departure tax will be used to install additional gates with integrated technology for recognition at airports to expedite immigration procedures, enhance the use of multilingual information boards, and support the addition of non-cash payment stations for public transportation.

The 'farewell tax,' also known as the international tourist tax, applies to individuals leaving Japan.

The number of tourists visiting Japan has surged in recent years, reaching a milestone of 30 million visitors in 2018 for the first time.

The Japanese government aims to increase the number of foreign tourists to Japan to 40 million in 2020, coinciding with the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

With the departure tax revenue, the Japanese government anticipates ensuring stable financial resources to address projects aimed at promoting the development of its smokeless industry.

According to D. KIM THOA/Tuổi trẻ

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour

MytourJanuary 15, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the new departure tax implemented by the Japanese government?

The new departure tax, set at 1,000 yen, aims to generate revenue for improving tourism infrastructure in Japan. This includes enhancing immigration procedures, expanding capacity to accommodate more foreign tourists, and installing modern technology at airports.

Who is required to pay the departure tax when leaving Japan?

All travelers leaving Japan by air or sea are required to pay the departure tax, regardless of nationality. However, exemptions apply to children under two years old and those departing within 24 hours related to transit.

How will the funds from the departure tax be utilized by the Japanese government?

Funds from the departure tax will be used to enhance tourism infrastructure, including technology at airports for faster immigration processing and multilingual information boards. This investment aims to improve the overall travel experience for foreign tourists.

Is it possible to avoid paying the departure tax if I have already purchased my ticket?

Yes, travelers who purchase tickets before the implementation date of the departure tax will be exempt from paying it. This exemption allows for those planning their travel ahead of time to avoid this additional fee.

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