Japan has quietly quintupled visa fees for British travellers, a move that insiders say was buried in a routine government notice. The hike, the first since 1978, raises the single-entry fee from ¥3,000 (£16) to ¥15,000 (£80). Multiple-entry visas now cost ¥30,000 (£160), up from ¥10,000 (£53).
Documents obtained by this paper confirm the change was signed off by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with no parliamentary debate. A source in the travel industry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "It's a cash grab.
They know Brits love Japan. They're exploiting it." The British Embassy in Tokyo declined to comment, but a leaked internal email seen by this reporter suggests diplomatic channels were blindsided.
The hike applies to 13 other countries including Singapore and Australia. Critics argue the increase will deter budget travellers and could damage tourism, which was recovering post-pandemic. Japan recorded 2.
5 million UK visitors in 2019, a number expected to drop sharply. One travel operator told me: "This is a kick in the teeth for families saving for a trip of a lifetime."
The government claims the fee covers administrative costs. The paper trail tells a different story: years of suppressed charges and a sudden need to shore up revenue. The visa waiver programme is unaffected, but for those needing a visa, the message is clear: Japan is no longer a cheap destination.