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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.
💴→
2026-04-01
Pension Lump-Sum Withdrawal Rules Changed!
From April 2026, foreigners who departed with re-entry permits cannot claim pension lump-sum withdrawal during the permit validity period.