The Japanese Cabinet decided on the 19th to significantly raise visa processing fees for foreign visitors to Japan starting this July. The fee for a single-entry visa will rise sharply from the current 3,000 yen (about MYR 83) to 15,000 yen (about MYR 416), representing a fivefold increase; the fee for a multiple-entry visa will increase from 6,000 yen (about MYR 166) to 30,000 yen (about MYR 832).
According to Japan's Kyodo News, this is the first time since 1978 that the Japanese government has increased visa fees. The new measures apply to foreign travelers who are required to obtain a visa to enter Japan, including both single-entry visas (which require reapplication for each entry) and multiple-entry visas (which allow multiple entries within the validity period). Fees for both types are being increased fivefold.
The Japanese government stated that the adjustment of visa fees is mainly to respond to the continuous rise in prices and exchange rate fluctuations in recent years, aiming to reasonably reflect related administrative costs. Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said at a press conference that he does not believe the price increase will immediately affect foreign tourists’ willingness to visit Japan.
Analysts believe that even with a significant increase in visa fees, Japan remains highly attractive to overseas visitors due to its abundant tourism resources, convenient transportation network, and the advantage of the yen's exchange rate. The impact on demand for travel to Japan in the short term is expected to be limited.
According to data from Japanese authorities, by 2025 the number of foreign visitors to Japan will reach 42.7 million, up 15.8% from the record 36.9 million in 2024, breaking the 40 million mark for the first time and setting a new historical high.