Filipinos and other foreign nationals planning to visit Japan will face steeper entry costs beginning July 1, when the country puts a long-delayed overhaul of its visa pricing into effect.
The fee for a single-entry visa, currently set at 3,000 yen (roughly ₱1,170), will jump to 15,000 yen (about ₱5,850) — a fivefold rise that applies to applications filed from the start of next month. Those seeking multiple-entry visas will see an even larger gap in cash terms, with charges climbing from 6,000 yen (around ₱2,340) to 30,000 yen (approximately ₱11,700).
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed the change had cleared the cabinet. “At today’s ministerial meeting, a decision on the partial revision of the ordinance on visa fees and related charges was made,” he told reporters at a press conference.
The adjustment carries unusual weight because Japan has left these charges untouched for decades. According to Kyodo News, the revision marks the first increase since 1978 and was prompted by inflation and the sustained weakness of the yen. Officials expect the higher fees to move Japan closer to the levels charged by other Group of Seven economies.
Motegi sought to play down any drag on tourist arrivals. He said the government does not anticipate the change having an immediate effect on inbound travel.
For Filipino travelers, the announcement lands against a backdrop of recent signals from Tokyo about easing the application burden. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya had earlier indicated his government was looking at ways to smooth the process for visitors from the Philippines.
“Actually, this is one of the most frequently asked questions asked of me. Our embassy has been making steady efforts to improve and streamline the application processes,” Endo said. “We will continue to explore what further improvements and arrangements may be possible going forward,” he added.
The weaker yen has made Japan a comparatively cheap destination in recent years, fueling record numbers of foreign arrivals and adding strain to the administrative systems that process entry permits.
