Japan Increases International Departure Tax to 3,000 Yen

As of July 2026, the Japanese government has officially increased the international departure tax from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen per person. This tax, often referred to as the 'Sayonara Tax,' is levied on all individuals departing Japan, regardless of nationality, with few exceptions for infants or transit passengers. The revenue generated from this increase is earmarked for the enhancement of tourism infrastructure, the implementation of advanced biometric screening at border control, and the promotion of regional travel destinations across the country.

This policy shift reflects Japan's ongoing strategy to manage the record-breaking influx of international visitors while simultaneously funding the digital transformation of its immigration and customs processes. By increasing the levy, the government aims to sustain the high quality of service at major international hubs like Tokyo Haneda and Narita, while also investing in sustainable tourism initiatives that distribute visitor traffic more evenly across Japan's diverse prefectures.

All international travellers, including tourists, business visitors, and returning residents, who are departing Japan by air or sea are subject to this tax. The fee is mandatory and is generally collected by airlines or cruise operators as part of the total ticket purchase price.

Makutet expects this tax hike to be the first of several fiscal measures as Japan seeks to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the rising costs of maintaining high-capacity infrastructure. We anticipate that the increased revenue will lead to faster, more automated border processing times by late 2027, though travellers should prepare for similar 'sustainability' or 'infrastructure' levies to appear in other major Asian tourism hubs throughout the coming year.