Japan is planning to raise the cost of visas for foreign visitors and triple its departure tax starting in fiscal 2026, in what officials describe as a bid to curb overtourism and fund sustainable travel infrastructure. However, analysts say the changes could also benefit Japan’s casino tourism strategy, particularly as the country prepares to launch its first major integrated resort in Osaka.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa issuance fees will be increased for the first time since 1978. Currently, a single-entry visa costs JPY 3,000 (≈ US$19.50), while a multiple-entry visa costs JPY 6,000 (≈ US$39), far lower than the fees charged by the United States or the United Kingdom.
The proposed departure tax (paid by outbound travellers) will also rise from JPY 1,000 to JPY 3,000 (≈ US$19.50). Proceeds will be channelled into improving tourist facilities, expanding digital systems at airports, and managing visitor flow at popular destinations.
The move follows record inbound tourism numbers since reopening its borders. The country welcomed 25.06 million visitors in 2023, soaring 47.1 percent to 36.87 million in 2024, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak of 31.9 million in 2019.
In the first nine months of 2025 alone, 31.65 million foreign arrivals were recorded, up 17.7 percent year-on-year, setting the stage for another historic high.
While the boom has revitalised local economies, it has also led to crowding, infrastructure strain, and community pushback in popular destinations such as Kyoto, Tokyo, and Mount Fuji.
Local and national responses to vertourism
Local governments are introducing their own measures to control visitor numbers and offset environmental impacts. Kyoto City, for example, will raise its accommodation tax in March 2026, with rates varying by hotel class and reaching up to JPY10,000 ($65) per person per night.
Nationally, the government will also increase fees for foreigners changing or updating residence status, as part of the same policy framework.
Officials said the higher fees reflect the “rising administrative costs” of visa processing and will ensure Japan’s pricing remains “comparable to other major economies.”
Gambling sector stands to benefit
While the new fees are positioned as a response to overtourism, the timing coincides with Japan’s ambitious plans to develop a regulated casino market through integrated resorts (IRs), large-scale complexes combining hotels, convention centers, entertainment, and gaming.
The Osaka IR project on Yumeshima Island, led by MGM Resorts International and Orix Corp., is expected to open by 2030. Government officials see the resort as a central pillar in Japan’s post-pandemic tourism strategy.
Meanwhile, Tomakomai City, located on the central south coast of Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture, reaffirmed its intention to apply for an integrated resort with a casino when the national government opens a new round of applications. Several neighbouring municipalities have expressed their support, signalling regional cooperation to bring an IR project to Hokkaido.
Industry observers say the new visa and tax measures will help Japan shift focus from low-budget tourists to higher-spending visitors, including business travellers and casino tourists.
Aligning with global casino tourism models
Japan has also intensified enforcement against illegal offshore gambling platforms, signalling its intent to move all gaming activity under regulated IR structures. In June 2025, the government urged foreign regulators to block access to unlicensed online casinos targeting Japanese players.
By combining a tighter travel policy with gaming oversight, Japan appears to be emulating casino-tourism markets like Singapore and Macau, which attract premium visitors while maintaining strict control over gambling participation.
The expected fee revenues could also be directed toward responsible gambling initiatives, local community support, and infrastructure development around future resort hubs.
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