Thailand fears Japan's visa-free policy could be scrapped over increased overstaying

By Hoang Vu March 15, 2024 | 03:46 pm PT

Pedestrians are seen behind artificial cherry blossom decorations at a shopping district in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2022. Photo by Reuters

The number of Thais overstaying in Japan has increased sharply in recent years, raising concerns over a possible suspensionof visa-free travel policy from the Northeast Asian country.

The number of Thais caught for overstaying after entering Japan on a visa waver program grew from 8,688 in 2021 to 11,472 in 2023, Bangkok Post reported citing a source from the Department of Consular Affairs.

Reports pointed out the Japanese government has urged Thailand to promptly tackle this problem, warning that the visa-free policy could be scrapped by 2025 if left unaddressed, The Thaiger reported.

Chotechuang Soorangura, vice-president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said that the number of overstayers was relatively small, accounting for less than 2% of total 995,500 outbound tourists from Thailand in 2023.

90,600 Thais visited Japan in January, while 74,205 Japanese traveled to Thailand in the same period, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Since July 2013, Japan has offered visa exemption for Thai visitors to revive its tourism industry following the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

This policy was temporarily halted during the pandemic but reinstated in October 2022.