Posted on 01/07/2019 9:55:25 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Japan began levying a 1,000 yen (US$9.24) departure tax on Monday, payable by anyone leaving the country by aircraft or ship, in a measure aimed at raising funds to further boost tourism.
The International Tourist Tax covers everyone regardless of nationality, from businesspeople to holidaymakers older than two years of age. It will be tacked on to the price of an airline ticket, though those bought and issued before Monday are exempt.
Japan’s government estimates that it will make an additional 50 billion yen (US$462 million) from the tax, which it wants to use to improve tourism infrastructure by making airport immigration processes faster and encouraging visitors to explore areas beyond traditionally popular destinations such as Tokyo and Kyoto, for example.
Japan has been aggressively courting international tourists as a new pillar of economic growth – aiming to boost visitor figures to 40 million by 2020, when Tokyo hosts the Olympic Games.
A record number of foreigners – more than 30 million – are estimated to have visited in 2018, many coming from China, South Korea and Taiwan.
Regular travellers like Timo Lim, a 23-year-old student in London who visits Japan twice a year on average, said the tax was unlikely to discourage him as it is a “negligible sum”.
Yet departure taxes, which are usually included in the price of a flight, can have a cumulative impact. A 2013 study into the effect of Australia’s departure tax published in international industry journal Tourism Management found that the country’s tourism industry “will suffer” despite economic gains – highlighting what the authors described as “a clash between the industry and wider economic interests”.
However, at A$60 (US$43), Australia’s departure tax is much heftier than Japan’s and far outstrips those levied by most other countries in the region. These range from less than US$10 in Malaysia to US$35 in neighbouring Singapore.
Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam all also collect varying amounts of tax from people leaving the country, while the Philippines charges its nationals 1,520 pesos (US$31) to depart – though the government there is considering replacing the current travel tax with a fee that also includes foreigners, according to reports.
If you refuse to pay the tax, will they throw you out of the country?
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave...
Some people just have a yen to leave Japan. (But they’ll need 999 more.)
RE: You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave...
_______________________
Yes you can, for a fee.
Overstay your visa and they’ll throw you out for free!....................
I will never set foot in a country that targets visitors with a departure tax.
Like paying for the privilidge of LEAVING Maryland.
When he got there the conductor told him, “One more nickel”
Charlie couldn’t get off of that train!
But did he ever return?
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned
(Poor old Charlie)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned
RE: Overstay your visa and they’ll throw you out for free!....................
Yes, but you can not go back any longer.
Kind of makes me remember the US 301 bridge across the Potomac between Virginia and Maryland. Haven’t been across it in years, but back then it was free going north, but had a toll going south.
Sounds like the Confederation Bridge leading from the Canadian mainland over to Prince Edward Island. In 2009 taking the bridge over to the Island was free, but it cost $42 to come back.
But you can never leave...
Long ago scuba diving in the Bahamas with friends...
The Bahamas had an exit tax, some had a different return flight, they had one or two for the road, also consuming all their available resources.
They had to call home, have money wired... not an easy process.
It was a mess!
“they had one or two for the road, also consuming all their available resources.”
—
Then they were stupid.
.
How much does the US charge?
In my youth I went on a month long, 22 state road trip and made it back home with $7 in my pocket.
For what it’s worth, I remember paying a “departure tax” leaving Japan 10 years or so ago. I know Costa Rica imposes a departure tax.
But the tax is a small part of the cost of a ticket to or from Japan.
I lived in Japan for 2 years and can say that 9 bucks or 90 bucks would not stop me from going again as Japan is running over with absolutely awesome things to see.
My advice to all is to take a year to plan your trip carefully. Avoid taxis to the maximum extent possible. One reason is the Japanese drivers, knowing you have no clue, will take the long way around and the traffic is out of this world. You can sit in one spot for an hour. Also, stay at “Historical” hotels. One example is 3 Sisters Inn in Kyoto. Fabulours place! All Japanese style!
We took the 800 mile ride through the Japanese Country side on the slow train. Fantastic scenery. Ride in dining car. Great food. Careful with the Saki!
I could go on and on about Japan. Also, there’s very little crime compared to the rest of the world.
I went over that bridge once, and you'd have to pay me to go over it again. The scariest bridge I've ever been on. Not a very "nice" experience.
It’s will be buried in the “fees” for your airline ticket. Countries tax their residents at a far greater rate than this modest fee. If the nine bucks and change is gonna break you, I guess you were a real budget traveler?
I was leaving Hong Kong once before the turnover and my visa expired at midnight. I was going through customs to leave at about 11. Because my flight was at 12:05 they pulled me aside and said I was overstaying my visa.
I said ‘wait, I’m trying to leave’ are you going to put me in jail for trying to comply? They ended up fining me something like $50 to let me make my flight...
but no they won’t just throw you out - they’ll detain, possibly put you in jail, fine you, ....and then throw you out.
I was always worried I got on someone’s list after that, but never had any issues when I went back before and after turnover.
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