Lead

Japan has implemented a five-fold increase to visa fees for all foreigners, marking the first price hike in nearly 50 years. From 1 July, single-entry visa fees will be raised from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen, while multi-entry visas will now cost 30,000 yen, up from 6,000 yen.

The visa fee revisions—the first since 1978—were made to "reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters on Friday. "We do not anticipate that it will have an immediate impact on inbound tourism," he added.

Coverage Comparison

The announcement was covered by ABC Australia and BBC — World. Both outlets reported the quintupling of fees and the rationale provided by Foreign Minister Motegi. ABC Australia focused on the impact on Australian tourists, noting that most would not be affected because they enjoy visa-free entry for stays up to 90 days. BBC — World's coverage emphasized the broader context, including the yen's prolonged weakness and Japan's record tourism numbers.

Key Claims

  • Japan will quintuple entry visa fees starting from July 1.
  • The single entry visa fee will rise from roughly $26.50 to $132, and the multiple entry visa will rise from approximately $53 to $265, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Most Australian tourists will not be impacted by the visa fee increase, according to ABC Australia.
  • Working holiday-makers and Australians travelling to Japan for work or immigration may be affected by the steeper fees, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • The visa fee revisions were made to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, as stated by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
  • The Japanese yen has been weakening continually since 2021, now hovering near historic 40-year lows.
  • Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million international tourists last year, according to BBC — World.

Broader Fee Revisions

The fee hikes are part of a broader revision of fees relevant to foreigners. In May, Japan's Upper House enacted a bill raising other fees, including the statutory upper limit for permanent residency applications to 300,000 yen—30 times the current cap of 10,000 yen—and up to 100,000 yen for changing residency status or extending a stay, up from 10,000 yen.

Authorities pushing for the fee hikes say Japan must align its visa- and residency-related fees closer to those of other G7 economies. In the US, non-immigrant visa application fees range from $185 to $315, while in the UK a standard short-term visa costs £135.

ABC Australia also noted that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's conservative government is continuing to explore tougher policies on immigration, amid fears of overtourism and an increased number of foreign residents. This includes the tripling of Japan's international tourist tax, attached to airfares departing Japan, starting July 1, which the Japan National Tourism Organisation says will support maintenance of public works and tourist infrastructure.