Image credit:Visa Index
Japan’s travel industry is calling for a significant policy change to encourage more young people to travel abroad by offering free passports to 18-year-olds. This initiative comes in response to a concerning trend—fewer Japanese citizens, particularly young adults, are applying for passports and venturing abroad. The Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) has been spearheading this campaign, citing the need to revitalize international travel among the younger generation.
With Japan’s population ageing and the domestic travel market stagnating, the industry sees overseas tourism as a potential growth area. The proposal to provide free passports to 18-year-olds is aimed at removing one financial barrier for young people looking to explore opportunities abroad.
Japan lowered its age of adulthood from 20 to 18 in 2022, and industry leaders believe that offering a free passport at this pivotal age could help foster a more global mindset among young Japanese. Currently, the cost of obtaining a passport in Japan is ¥16,000 ($110) for a 10-year passport, which many see as prohibitive for younger individuals, especially students.
The travel industry is pushing the government to fund the initiative, with hopes that it could serve as an investment in the future of the country’s international presence. Free passports, they argue, would not only encourage young people to explore the world but also boost the travel industry by stimulating demand for flights, hotels, and other travel-related services. Japanese youth, influenced by a combination of economic concerns, cultural preferences, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, have shown a declining interest in travelling abroad.