Malaysians visiting Japan may have to pay increased tourist tax soon, as the Japanese Government intends to impose a higher tax on international tourists travelling to the country in an effort to curb overtourism.
Currently, the tourist tax is set at JPY1,000 or around RM30 and levied on people leaving Japan as a ‘departure tax’ on their flight or cruise ticket fees.
Japan plans to increase the tourist tax to up to JPY5,000 (RM148)
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According to the Asia News Network (ANN), the Japanese Government is planning to expand the purposes for which the tax revenue is used, which includes measures against overtourism, a rising problem faced by the Land of the Rising Sun.
The report added that members of a subcommittee of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are currently studying how much the foreign tourist tax should be increased.
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Among the proposals is raising the tax to up to JPY5,000 or approximately RM148, as it’s still lower than the RM207 departure tax imposed by Australia on tourists.
Moreover, the subcommittee is also deliberating other ways in which revenue from the tax should be used, such as to expand transportation facilities and improve airports.
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Currently, the foreign tourist tax is only used to promote international tourism, such as by inviting foreign visitors and resort development.
Speaking of which, the foreign tourist tax was introduced in 2019 and is added to ticket fees for flights and cruise ships departing Japan. The tax is not only imposed on foreign visitors but also on Japanese departing the country.
Last year, Japan recorded its highest-ever foreign tourist arrivals at 36.87 million, which includes the highest-ever number of Malaysian tourists at 506,800.
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So, what do you guys think of Japan’s plan to increase the tourist tax? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
