"Just Traveling Now Costs 140,000 Won"... China Outraged as Japan's Visa Fees Rise Fivefold in July

Visa Fees to Increase Fivefold Starting in July

Single Entry: 142,000 Won, Multiple Entry: 285,000 Won

The Japanese government will increase its foreign visa issuance fees by fivefold starting in July. While countries such as South Korea, the United States, and Taiwan are exempt from short-term stay visas, travelers from mainland China are still required to obtain a visa even for tourism. This has led to interpretations that the measure may be targeting Chinese nationals amid worsening Sino-Japanese relations.

An image of Tokyo, Japan to help with understanding the article. Pixabay

According to Chinese business media outlet Caixin and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 24, the Japanese government will raise the single-entry visa fee from the current 3,000 yen (approximately 28,000 won) to 15,000 yen (approximately 142,000 won). The multiple-entry visa fee will also rise from 6,000 yen (approximately 57,000 won) to 30,000 yen (approximately 285,000 won). The new fees will apply to applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026.

South Koreans included in Japan's visa waiver program can enter Japan without a visa for up to 90 days for non-profit purposes such as tourism or visiting relatives. The United States and Taiwan are also among the countries exempt from short-term stay visas.

In contrast, holders of mainland Chinese passports must obtain a Japanese visa even for short-term tourism. Although the fee increase is not exclusive to any particular country, among the major countries and regions that send many travelers to Japan, only visitors from mainland China will bear the direct cost of visa issuance, resulting in a relatively heavier burden for them.

On Chinese online platforms, there is growing sentiment that the significant increase in visa fees at a time when Sino-Japanese relations are cooling is effectively aimed at Chinese tourists. On the other hand, some analysts suggest that this policy is intended to address overtourism caused by the sharp increase in foreign visitors.

Relations between China and Japan sharply deteriorated in November last year after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated the possibility of Japanese military intervention in the event of a Taiwan contingency. Following this, the Chinese government advised its citizens to refrain from visiting Japan.

Since then, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan has declined rapidly. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of Chinese visitors to Japan in May 2026 was 313,000, a decrease of 60.4% compared to the same month last year. During the same month, the total number of foreign visitors to Japan was 3,559,900, down 3.6% from the previous year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.