Japan May Raise Tourist Tax From RM29 To RM148 As Visitors Keep Pouring In
Yes, Malaysians will have to pay too.
By Tamara Jayne — 05 Mar 2025, 11:55 AM
Planning your next trip to Japan? You might have to budget a little extra for the journey home.
Japan is considering increasing its International Tourist Tax from 1,000 yen (about RM29) to as much as 5,000 yen (around RM148).
According to Asia News Network, the move aims to tackle overtourism, which has been causing congestion in popular tourist spots across the country.
The tax, also known as "departure tax," is charged when you leave Japan by air or sea
Introduced in 2019, it applies to everyone — both foreign tourists and Japanese citizens.
The fee is automatically included in airline tickets and cruise fares, so you won't have to worry about paying it separately.
Japan's tourist numbers have been skyrocketing
In 2024 alone, 36.87 million foreign visitors flocked to Japan, while only 13.01 million Japanese citizens travelled abroad, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.
Malaysians made over half a million trips to Japan last year — a 21.9% jump from 2023.
And with the Japan government aiming for 60 million visitors by 2030, the number of tourists is only expected to grow.
With a higher tax, Japan hopes to:
- Reduce the impact of overtourism by discouraging unnecessary trips
- Improve infrastructure like airports and transportation systems
- Ensure tourist hotspots remain enjoyable for both visitors and locals
The ruling parties in Japan are reviewing different proposals and will finalise the details in an upcoming tax reform plan.
