Japan has the second-most powerful passport in the world, which allows visa-free travel to over 190 countries.
Only 17.5% of Japanese people have one. This raises questions as to why there are so few Japanese who take advantage of the global mobility.
Based on December 2024 data, this figure represents only 21.6 millions passports currently in circulation.
Japan has significantly fewer passports than most other countries, despite a gradual recovery of outbound travel after the COVID-19 epidemic.
In the United States for example, over half of their population now has a valid passport, up from 5% just in 1990.
This disparity highlights Japan’s unique travel habits, where factors like a declining yen and a preference for home-based tourism have changed international travel patterns.
Despite the record number of tourists from abroad, Japan’s citizens have opted to remain at home more than ever before.
Few Japanese Travel Abroad
Japanese people’s reluctance to get passports is a result of a variety of factors, including economic, historical, and cultural. The robust Japanese domestic tourism industry is one of the main reasons.
After the outbreak, domestic tourism has increased in Japan, especially to Kyoto, Okinawa and Hokkaido.
Traveling internationally has become more costly due to the yen’s continued weakness. It lost nearly a quarter of its value over the past five years.
These financial obstacles, combined with the rising cost of living and stagnant wages have made overseas travel less attractive.
The longstanding Japanese work culture is another factor.
Japan’s job market is so demanding that it offers only limited vacation time, which makes long distance travel impossible.
Employees are reluctant to go on extended holidays, which further reduces the need for a passport.
The travel rebound has been slow
Despite a gradual increase in international travel, the number of Japanese citizens travelling abroad remains lower than it was before the pandemic. More than 20 millions Japanese citizens traveled abroad in 2019.
Travel habits are still being affected by the pandemic. Many Japanese citizens were prevented from traveling overseas during the COVID-19 peak due to strict quarantine and border control requirements.
The restrictions are gone, but the focus on domestic tourism has slowed down the recovery.
As Japanese remain in place, foreign tourism increases
While fewer Japanese travel abroad, tourism inbound to Japan is at record levels.
Last year, more than 36,000,000 foreign tourists visited Japan. They were attracted to the unique culture, modern infrastructure and favorable exchange rate that makes travel affordable.
The influx of tourists has revitalized key tourist centres like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. It also brings much needed revenue into the hospitality industry.
This also highlights the contrast between Japan’s appeal to the world and its citizens’ reluctance in exploring beyond their own borders.
Japan’s tourism outbound market is still subdued, as the volatility of the yen and uncertainty in economic conditions continue to weigh on decisions.
Japan’s passport ownership could increase if the economy improves, but for now it remains a place where its world-class credentials to travel are not fully utilized.
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