January 8, 2026 | 10:53 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Japanese government is set to triple the departure tax in July 2026 and introduce a new travel fee to control overtourism. The International Tourist Tax, implemented since January 7, 2019, will automatically be added to plane tickets and ferry tickets.
As reported by Travel and Leisure Asia, the departure tax will increase from the current 1,000 yen (around Rp107,000) to 3,000 yen (around Rp320,000) per person starting July 2026. This tax applies to all individuals leaving Japan for overseas destinations, including Japanese citizens who will also feel the impact of the higher travel costs. Exceptions are given to flight crew and transit passengers who depart within 24 hours.
In the fiscal year ending March 2025, Japan recorded a record departure tax revenue of 52.48 billion yen (approximately Rp5.589 trillion). With this increase, tourism-related revenue for fiscal 2026 (April 2026 to March 2027) is expected to nearly triple to around 130 billion yen (approximately Rp13.845 trillion).
Upcoming New Travel Fee
In addition to the departure tax increase, the Japanese government plans to introduce an additional entry inspection fee no later than 2028. The new system called Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA) will be implemented in 2028 with fees ranging from 2,000 yen (around Rp213,000) to 3,000 yen (around Rp320,000) per person for visa-exempt tourists.
Visa issuance fees for tourists requiring entry permits may increase up to five times next year, but short-term visa-exempt visitors will not be affected. Thus, the total travel costs for visa-exempt tourists including departure tax and JESTA fees can reach 5,000 yen (around Rp533,000) to 6,000 yen (around Rp640,000) per person.
Reasons for the Departure Tax Increase
As reported by Travel and Tour World, the increase in departure tax will be used to fund several key areas related to tourism and infrastructure development. These include improving airport facilities, enhancing passenger services, and expanding transportation networks.
It also supports initiatives to enhance sustainable tourism, such as improving environmental management and promoting lesser-known destinations nationwide. This includes developing programs to ensure cultural preservation and enhancing Japan's competitiveness as a global tourism hub.
Putri Az Zahra Suherman contributed to the writing of this article.
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