🛍️→
2026-11-01
Tax-Free Shopping Overhaul! Store→Airport Refund
From Nov 1, 2026, tax-free shopping changes to refund system. Pay 10% tax at stores, get refund at airport.
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2026-07-01Tax
✈️ Departure Tax Triples! ¥1,000→¥3,000
Effective July 1, 2026 — Everyone aged 2+ affected
¥1,000
Current
¥3,000
New Amount
3x
Increase
2+
Age
❓ What's changing?
The "International Tourist Tax" charged when leaving Japan by air or sea will increase from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000.
Before
¥1,000
→
After (3x!)
¥3,000
👥 Who's affected?
- ●All departing passengers, including Japanese nationals
- ●Everyone aged 2 and older (under 2 exempt)
- ●Automatically added to airline/ferry ticket price
📊 Why the increase?
To fund tourism infrastructure development and improve reception capacity in regional areas amid surging inbound tourism. Expected annual revenue: ~¥150 billion.
🌍 Departure tax comparison by country
🇯🇵 Japan (revised)¥3,000 (~$20)
🇦🇺 AustraliaAUD 65 (~$42)
🇬🇧 UK£13–£91 (~$17–$117)
🇰🇷 South Korea₩10,000 (~$7)
🇹🇭 Thailand฿700 (~$20)
🆓 Who's exempt?
- ✓Children under 2
- ✓Transit passengers departing within 24 hours
- ✓Those who entered Japan due to weather/emergency
- ✓Diplomats
💡 Key points to know
1Automatically included in ticket price (no separate payment)
2Charged once per trip (departure only)
3Same amount for LCC and full-service airlines
4Departures before June 30, 2026 remain ¥1,000
🔗 Related Issues
🧾→
2026-10-01
Invoice System Transitional Measure Reduced 80%→70%
From October 2026, input tax credit from tax-exempt businesses reduced from 80% to 70%. Affects foreign freelancers, sole proprietors, and businesses dealing with exempt vendors.
👶→
2026-10-01
Pension Childcare Exemption Starts October 2026
Japan's National Pension childcare premium exemption starts in October 2026. From September 11 the Japan Pension Service chatbot answers questions on who qualifies and how long the exemption runs — useful for foreign residents paying premiums themselves.