From 2028, when Koreans visit Japan for short-term stays such as sightseeing and business trips, they will have to report their passport information, purpose of stay, and place of stay online in advance and go through a preliminary examination by the Japanese authorities. It is expected that pass the screening and electronic certification to be able to board flights to Japan, and that they will have to pay a separate fee in the process.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the Japanese government voted at a Cabinet meeting to revise the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, which includes such matters. The core of the revision is the introduction of the Electronic Port Certification System (JESTA), which is similar to the U.S. Electronic Travel Authorization System (ESTA).
The JESTA is for those who visit Japan for short-term stay. Since Korea is also included in Japan’s visa-waiver program, it is highly likely that Korean travelers will have to undergo a preliminary screening if the system is implemented. The Japanese government also plans to include some foreigners who temporarily enter Japan to transfer their flights.
Once the system is introduced, those who wish to enter Japan must submit relevant information online before leaving the country. Based on this, the Japanese authorities conduct a preliminary examination and grant electronic authentication if they judge that there is no problem. Conversely, failure to obtain certification may result in denied boarding an aircraft to Japan. Transportation companies such as airlines must check in advance whether passengers have completed authentication.
An application fee will also be charged. The Japanese government plans to charge a certain amount of fees to applicants for JESTA, referring to the fact that ESTA charges a fee of 40 U.S. dollars.
The revised bill also calls for drastically raising the upper limit of fees for renewal of foreigners’ qualifications for a long-term stay. The revised upper limit is 300,000 yen for a permanent residence permit and 100,000 yen for other residents. The actual amount will be set within this range. Currently, the renewal fee is around 6,000 yen.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government also voted on a revision to the passport law, which includes lowering the passport application fee for its citizens, NHK reported. The revision included lowering the 10-year passport application fee from 16,000 yen to 9,000 yen for adults. Japan plans to raise the so-called “departure tax,” which is imposed on everyone when they leave the country, from July. In response, the Japanese government has decided to lower the passport application fee in order to reduce the tax burden on its citizens and increase the passport retention rate.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
