Japan to tighten scrutiny of tourists from visa-exempt economies

By Hoang Phong September 2, 2024 | 11:00 pm PT

Visitors ride boats next to blooming cherry blossoms at Chidorigafuchi Park in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2023. Photo by Reuters/Issei Kato

The Japanese government is set to require visitors from visa-exempt countries and territories to declare personal information before entering the country to prevent illegal overstaying.

As part of a new tourism plan, it will introduce an online travel system by 2030 in which visitors from 71 countries and regions, whose citizens do not need a visa, will have to declare their purpose of entry and intended place of stay before arrival, according to The Sankei Shimbun.

They include Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.

The government said this would help to reduce the number of illegal immigrants who enter Japan and overstay their permitted period of 14 to 90 days, Japan Today reported.

If the system flags a visitor as a potential overstay risk, they will be required to obtain a regular visa.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, there were 17.7 million tourists in the first half of 2024, more than the previous high of 16.63 million in 2019.