Japan Introduces Departure Tax for Air and Boat Passengers

The levy is collected in an effort to finance measures and activities aimed at attracting more foreign travellers to the country in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

The tax does not need to be paid separately as it is automatically included into the ticket price of air and boat tickets for all passengers no matter their nationality from this Monday. Transit passengers who leave Japan within 24 hours from their arrival as well as young children under two y.o are exempted. Travellers who will be forced to leave the country becase of force major will not need to pay the tax either.

The revenew from the new tax will be used for improving tourist infrastructure in order to provide a smoother travel experience; promoting major attractions of the country and making the information related to these attractions easily available; putting in focus regional and event tourism with the main accents on local experiences like authentic cuisine, festivals, culture, etc.

The government expect that by the end of the year the new tax will help generate JPY50 billion (USD500 million). In 2018, Japan welcomed over 30 million foreign visitors and the numbers are expected to reach 40 million by 2020.

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