Japan imposes 500% hike on entry visa fees for foreign entrants

Japan announced a 500% increase in entry visa fees for foreign nationals, raising single-entry visas from 3,000 to 15,000 yen and multiple-entry visas from 6,000 to 30,000 yen (first hike in 48 years). The move is expected to boost FY2026 revenue by about 116.1 billion yen, though many tourists are visa-exempt and non-tourist entrants (students, workers) will be affected; officials say inbound visitor numbers aren’t expected to fall in the near term despite the sudden change.