As more international travelers visit Japan and inbound tourism continues to grow, Japan is expected to make several adjustments to its policies. As of December 2024, here are the key changes anticipated for 2025 and beyond.

Here’s a detailed look at each of these changes.

The Japan Tourism Agency has requested a revision of the tax-free shopping system for international travelers, targeting changes for the 2025 fiscal year. While details are expected to be finalized in the 2025 tax reform, the timing of the new system’s launch is still undecided. Here are the main proposed updates.

As of October 2024, international visitors shopping at tax-free stores in Japan enjoy immediate tax exemption, with products sold at tax-free prices. This allows travelers to return home without needing extra procedures.

Starting in 2025, however, Japan plans to introduce a "refund system." Under this new approach, international visitors will initially pay the consumption tax when purchasing goods. Upon departure from Japan, they can then receive a refund for the tax paid, once customs confirms the items are being taken out of the country. This system aims to prevent the domestic resale of tax-free items, ensuring that tax exemption applies only to goods taken abroad.

Currently, tax-free eligibility for international visitors depends on the type and value of purchases, including:
・General goods (e.g., electronics, bags, shoes, clothing, watches, handicrafts) purchased for a total of at least 5,000 yen at a single store in one day.
・Consumables (e.g., food, cosmetics, beverages, pharmaceuticals) purchased for 5,000 yen or more but under 500,000 yen at a single store in one day.

Given the increasing number of visitors buying high-priced items such as premium cosmetics or alcohol, there is a call for removing the upper purchase limit on consumables. Additionally, a request has been made to eliminate the "specified packaging method" requirement currently mandated for consumable tax-free purchases.

December 12, 2024 Update:
According to subsequent reports, the refund process for the consumption tax is expected to involve scanning passports at terminals installed in locations like airports. The system updates required for this are estimated to take about one to one and a half years, with plans to roll out as early as the 2026 fiscal year. Stay tuned for further developments.

According to reports, the Japanese government plans to implement a new "Pre-Clearance" system aimed at streamlining entry procedures for international travelers and supporting further growth in inbound tourism.

This system allows foreign visitors to complete most of their entry inspection before departure, utilizing the waiting time at their departure airport. When they arrive in Japan, only a quick confirmation will be required, enabling smoother and faster entry.

The initial rollout is scheduled for January 2025, starting with travelers from Taiwan, with potential expansion to other countries and regions depending on the system's success.

In 2024, Japan began exploring the introduction of "dual pricing" for international tourists, with some municipalities and tourist sites already considering specific plans. For example, Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, a popular destination, has proposed setting entry fees for foreign visitors at about four times the price for Japanese visitors.

While most cases are still in the discussion phase, this trend is expected to continue into 2025, making it important to stay updated on potential developments.

Updated December 12, 2024:
Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s national treasures, has been considering a price increase for foreign visitors to cover maintenance, preservation, and operational costs over the next decade. This would involve raising current ticket prices by 2–3 times. Following discussions, the final policy has been decided as follows:
・Under 18 years old: Admission will be free (currently 300 yen) to encourage children worldwide to develop an understanding of preservation efforts.
・Himeji residents aged 18 and older: The current admission fee of around 1,000 yen will remain unchanged, as residents already contribute to preservation through city taxes.
・Non-residents aged 18 and older: Admission will be raised to 2,000–3,000 yen.
・Foreign visitor-specific pricing: No changes will be introduced, as verifying foreign nationality is deemed impractical.

As a result, foreign visitors will follow the same pricing as non-residents: free admission for those under 18 and 2,000–3,000 yen for those 18 and older. The city plans to amend the ordinance by the end of this fiscal year, aiming for the revised pricing to take effect in spring 2026.

Beyond Himeji Castle, discussions around tiered pricing at tourist sites continue in other locations. Keep an eye on future developments in this area.

JR Central and JR West are reportedly considering reducing the number of non-reserved cars on the Nozomi trains of the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. Currently, cars 1 through 3 on the Nozomi trains are designated as non-reserved seating. However, starting with the spring 2025 schedule revision, plans are being considered to convert car 3 into reserved seating. Passengers will need to book reserved seats in advance using the online reservation system.

Additionally, since late 2023, all seats on the Nozomi trains during peak travel periods, such as New Year’s and the Obon holiday in August, have been designated as reserved seats. Travelers are advised to check the official website for updates before their trip.

On December 6, 2024, JR East submitted a request to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism for approval to revise the upper limit of railway passenger fares. As a result, JR East's fare revision is expected to take effect in March 2026.

Additionally, reports indicate that the JR Group plans to abolish round-trip tickets for journeys exceeding 601 kilometers one way starting in March 2026. With various changes potentially being introduced to JR fares, travelers are advised to stay informed about future updates.

With the steady rise in international visitors to Japan and increasing demand for inbound tourism, Japan is set to introduce various updates to its systems. Be sure to check the latest information when planning your trip to Japan to stay informed.

(Note: This article reflects information as of December 2024. Please refer to official websites for the latest updates.)