Japan to Quintuple Visa Fees, Impacting Indonesian Tourists

The Japanese government is implementing a fivefold increase in visitor visa fees for all foreign nationals, the first such hike in almost 50 years. Starting 1 July 2026, the cost of a single-entry visa will rise from 3,000 yen (approximately Rp333,000) to 15,000 yen (approximately Rp1.6 million). The fee for a multiple-entry visa will increase from 6,000 yen (approximately Rp667,000) to 30,000 yen (approximately Rp3.3 million). Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated the increase, the first since 1978, is intended to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, adding that the government does not anticipate a direct impact on tourist arrivals. The country welcomed a record 42.7 million foreign visitors last year. In May, the upper house of Japan’s parliament also passed legislation to raise other fees related to foreign nationals. Under the revision, the maximum fee for permanent residency applications will rise to 300,000 yen, a thirtyfold increase from the current 10,000 yen limit. Fees for changing or extending residency status will also increase to a maximum of 100,000 yen from 10,000 yen. The government stated the need to align its visa and residency fees with those of other G7 economies. The fee increase will be felt by Indonesian tourists, who rank among the top ten nationalities visiting Japan. Data from the Japan National Tourism Organisation shows Indonesian visitors placed eighth, with 558,900 arrivals, a 26.3 percent increase compared to the January-November period in 2024. Overall, Japan received 39.7 million visitors during the first eleven months of 2025, a 17 percent rise year-on-year. Popular destinations for Indonesian tourists include Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.