Japan Is Now Charging Travelers a Departure Tax

Get the Full StoryHeading to Japan? You may want to save 9 from that sushi order or shopping spree in Shibuya. The country recently announced that it will be implementing a departure tax for all visitors, irrespective of nationality. The new fee, called the sayonara tax, will cost travelers 1,000 yen or approximately 9 , and be added onto plane and cruise fares at the time of booking. There are, however, a few exceptions.Children under the age of two, airline crew members, anyone staying in Japan for less than 24 hours, and those forced to enter the country due to circumstances like bad weather won t be subject to the levy, The Japan Times reports. Sure, your ticket might cost a bit more, but revenue generated from the tax will only benefit travelers in the long run -- with additional facial recognition gates at airports for quicker immigration queues, increased information in multiple languages at national parks and cultural attractions, and more free Wi-Fi on public transportation. The improved tourist infrastructure -- an effort to make Japan the top tourist destination and create a more comfortable, stress-free tourist environment, according to the National Tax Agency Ministry website -- is key in the lead up to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The government expects these fees to add up to around 50 billion yen or 461 million by the end of 2019.And while you may think this is new, Japan is certainly not leading the charge on this policy. The country joins Australia, Costa Rica, Anguilla, and Cambodia in implementing a departure tax.

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