Japan is going to introduce e-Visa or Japan ETA, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system for foreign visitors who are currently exempt from entry visas. This change will affect people coming from 71 countries and territories, including many European Union nations, who can enter the country with just a passport that is valid for 3 months.
Introduction of the ETA System in Japan
In what could be referred to as similar to pre-clearance practices in the United States, Canada and Australia among other countries, Japan has opted to simplify its entry protocols for international travellers. The ETA system which Japan government is now working on may be implemented from 2025 onwards.
On June 21st, the Japanese government held a ministerial meeting about how foreigners can integrate into society. The conference discussed a new version of roadmap aimed at creating a friendly environment for foreigners residing in Japan. One of the leading ideas is that such an ETA would enable travellers to provide necessary information ahead of time before they visit this country.
Requirements for the ETA
The forthcoming ETA will necessitate that travellers disclose:
- Purpose of Stay: Visitors must specify their reason for entering Japan, whether for tourism, business, or medical purposes.
- Personal Details: This includes information about family members accompanying them and their passport details.
- Professional and Medical Visits: If travelling for business, the name of the business partner must be included; for medical visits, the name of the hospital will need to be provided.
In cases where the information provided raises suspicions, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) retains the right to deny entry.
Goals of the New System
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasised that the aim of this programme is to create a society where both the Japanese and foreign tourists coexist peacefully and securely.
Japan has recently been experiencing a rise in tourist numbers, recording over 3million visitors in May alone, which is 60% higher than last year and 9.6% more than in May 2019. In particular, the depreciation of the Yen contributed greatly to this influx, since the pretreatment pandemic period recorded 31.9 million foreigners in Japan as at the end of 2019.
The upcoming ETA requirement will affect citizens from any one of the seventy-one countries whose nationals are currently visa free to enter Japan; soon, they must have this authority before travelling there.
