Japan plans to impose new requirements on visitors.
- They will institute ‘electronic travel authority’ for visitors from visa-free countries. That’s a visa lite, since it means applying for advance permission to travel. This is similar to the U.S. ESTA program, the U.K.’s ETA, and the European ETIAS (which hasn’t been implemented yet). Broadly speaking, unencumbered international travel is fading away.
- And there will be new private health insurance requirements for visitors.
The electronic travel authority rule isn’t new. It was planned for 2030, but now is expected to be moved forward.
The health insurance requirement is strange. About 1/3 of 1% of visitors received medical treatment in hospitals last year. And fewer than 1% of those left the country without paying for it. That’s been reported as a one-month cost of $425,000.
It’s super odd to make immigration policy decisions on the basis of $5 million in annualized cost. That suggests it’s more about local politics (anti-foreigner sentiment) than about addressing a real problem.
Japan is also making it more difficult to obtain tax refunds on shopping purchases for foreign residents. Currently there’s a point of sale tax exemption, however beginning November 1, 2026, visitors will pay tax and have to apply for a refund prior to departure. And shopping items abroad will not qualify for tax exemption. By requiring time and effort to present items for inspection on demand in order to receive a refund, most tourists won’t go through the hassle for most purchases.
With tourist arrivals up 28.5% year-over-year, there appears to be a political backlash even though visitors broadly benefit the Japanese economy.
Japanese didn’t want the number of visitors that came post covid w/ the devaluation of the dollar.
Japan has flipped for US airlines from being predominantly Japan originating pre-covid to heavily US originating. but It isn’t the high-margin market it once was. Similar patterns have developed for other countries.
adding insurance requirements has been done by other countries. It just presents a barrier that wil deter some people
Take THAT you Gringos!
“Just Stay Home” looks increasingly attractive by the day.
I think we all know why Europe and Japan are doing this. More will follow before the year is over.
I also don’t think it’s going to stop at these hurdles. We’re already seeing the pull-back on digital nomad visas, dual citizenship qualifications and probably some other things that have slipped under my radar. It’s just not that hard to predict, and we deserve worse.
Can’t wait to try out JAL’s a35K. I’m still going, regardless. Extra form, nominal fee, etc. Yeah, many countries do that. If you can’t handle it, please do stay home. Funny how many of the folks, especially in the US, complain, nonstop about immigration, yet, when they travel, if they ever travel overseas, they, too, complain about other countries processes. While we (in the US) actually have more draconian processes, these ETA forms, etc., are quite mundane. Like, Australia, for instance, has a phone-based app to apply and verify documents. So, if that’s what it takes to visit places like Sydney or Tokyo, I say, fine, do the form, pay the fee, and be civilized.
I bought a watch at a mall in Osaka a few years back and paid the sales tax at purchase. Then I took the receipt to the basement of this mall where they process the refund. Seems to be a similar process.
Bought some jewelry in South Africa a few years ago, then went to the ‘tax kiosk’ at JNB Tambo and got my money back after showing receipts. Super easy.
Is the picture in the article taken in a Japanes hospital lab ?
Interesting, seems to be a growing trend. If you really want to visit a place shouldn’t be much of a consideration in deciding.
@Jack — Grand Seiko?
@Scottino — …the sushi restaurant?
@L737 — Apparently, @Scottino is uncultured swine. *oink oink*
These ETIAS are turning into resort fees. Every country is going to have one. They act like they don’t already have the information from us, via the airline.
I can’t blame the Japanese. They have a wonderful vibrant society that a lot of foreigners have no understanding or respect for. And because of the “influencers” and their retard followers they have more of this to deal with. They should become like Bhutan and make it even more difficult to visit.
@Dave — Even with the +$100/person/day fees, Bhutan was worth the visit to me. Heck, just for the wild flight into Paro on Druk Air, it’s worth the visit. Hard pass on the butter tea, though. (Oof. It’s a bit much.)
The linked article states this is a proposal, so seems far from a done deal. In any case, I’m hoping my Japan trusted traveler program card will get me past the more onerous requirements. If you have GE, it’s very easy to get.
Yeah, in Japan’s case specifically: There’s been a major trend of influencers/tourists going there and specifically acting like complete assholes. As in, that’s the actual point of the visit. While it’s a small amount, it still makes major news and rightfully pisses off the locals.
I mean, I’m at the Jersey Shore and I’d love to be able to tax the Bennys that invade each summer or make them pay some form of insurance.
This entire thread is why I’ve always been deeply skeptical of the very notion of “tourism.” Typically, when I travel, it’s on some sort of business – either “work” business or “personal” business (such as a recent trip to the Left Coast for a friend’s wedding).
In either case, there’s at least a modicum of a reason for the trip, rather than a simple “I just want to go there.” I think we’d be better off as a society if more people adopted a similar attitude.
Before a foreign trip, I always check my medical insurance coverage. I have purchased extra on rare occasions for countries that I deem as riskier and poor medical care. I hope Japan doesn’t require buying a policy.
@Mantis — I know we don’t always agree on topics here, but thank you for mentioning that program. I have Global Entry, have an upcoming trip planned for later this year, and have been to Japan twice before, so I am planning to apply for it. Good idea, sir!
@Mantis — Oops. Nevermind. Have to have visited at least two times in the last 12 months. I gotta travel more! Bah!