Japan Considers Increasing Departure Tax to Address Overtourism Issues
Since 2019, Japan has imposed an 'International Tourist Tax' of 1,000 yen on foreign visitors. In response to the growing issues of overtourism, ruling party member Senator Yuki Yoshikawa has proposed increasing this tax, suggesting that the additional revenue could be used to tackle the challenges posed by overtourism and fund local revitalization efforts.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed support for considering such a change, acknowledging the obligation to ensure fair compensation for Japanese taxpayers while stressing the importance of thorough and careful discussions before any decisions are made. He noted that Japan's current departure tax is relatively low compared to other countries.
