Nabil Luqman

0f9d2dd4f71434084e2b6094de1865e23abb37bb9f28ca51feeabee679ec9be2

Social

travel

government

policy

Japan

tourism

system

authorisation

blacklist

Thinking about visiting Japan soon?
For many Malaysians, Japan is a dream destination, thanks to its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and the ever-popular anime scene that captivates the younger generation.
Adding to the allure, the Japanese Yen has recently dropped in value, making a trip to Japan more affordable than ever. With 100 Yen now equivalent to RM2.96, Japan has become a more budget-friendly option compared to places like Singapore, South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Tourist From 71 Countries To Require Travel Authorisation To Visit Japan
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/6625f02d7c5c3c7176b4c365d52c8e0946629425e3756335d5cd81e8f6b027d0" />
While Japan is visa-free for Malaysians, Japan is set to introduce a new pre-travel authorisation system, known as JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), targeting Malaysians and citizens of 70 other visa-exempt countries. This initiative, similar to the US ESTA system, aims to enhance immigration controls and prevent travellers from overstaying their permitted time in Japan. Currently, the period of stay for tourists from the list of countries ranges between 14 to 90 days depending on the passport.
Under the new system, travellers from countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, and the United States will be required to submit personal details, including their entry purpose and place of stay, through an online platform before departing for Japan. JESTA will pre-screen these applications, and if a traveller is flagged as a potential overstay risk, their travel authorisation will be denied, necessitating a visa application at their local Japanese embassy.
This change comes in response to a significant number of visa-exempt visitors overstaying their visas; for instance, in January 2016 alone, over 28,000 out of 49,801 illegal short-term visitors were from visa-exempt countries. Currently, Japanese authorities only screen passenger information after departure, leading to cases where travellers who fail the screening process still arrive in Japan and are subsequently ordered to leave, often without complying.
In preparation for JESTA&rsquo;s implementation, Japan will soon begin trialling a system where passenger information is checked against a blacklist after boarding but before take-off. The Japanese government plans to allocate research funds for JESTA in their 2025 budget. For now, the implementation of the system is not expected for several years but they do intend to launch a different system on a trial basis in the 2024 fiscal year and they also expect a full implementation expected by 2030.
What Are the 71 Visa-Exempted Countries That Will Requite Travel Authorisation Under JESTA?
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/37a8ea333a8a26d631d3e241829928653961c14ab5e3475df92565c52104ae15" />
<ol>
<li>Andorra</li>
<li>Argentina</li>
<li>Australia</li>
<li>Austria</li>
<li>Bahamas</li>
<li>Barbados</li>
<li>Belgium</li>
<li>Brazil</li>
<li>Brunei</li>
<li>Bulgaria</li>
<li>Canada</li>
<li>Chile</li>
<li>Costa Rica</li>
<li>Croatia</li>
<li>Cyprus</li>
<li>Czech Republic</li>
<li>Denmark</li>
<li>Dominican Republic</li>
<li>El Salvador</li>
<li>Estonia</li>
<li>Finland</li>
<li>France</li>
<li>Germany</li>
<li>Greece</li>
<li>Guatemala</li>
<li>Honduras</li>
<li>Hong Kong</li>
<li>Hungary</li>
<li>Iceland</li>
<li>Indonesia</li>
<li>Ireland</li>
<li>Israel</li>
<li>Italy</li>
<li>Latvia</li>
<li>Lesotho</li>
<li>Liechtenstein</li>
<li>Lithuania</li>
<li>Luxembourg</li>
<li>Macao</li>
<li>Malaysia</li>
<li>Malta</li>
<li>Mauritius</li>
<li>Mexico</li>
<li>Monaco</li>
<li>Netherlands</li>
<li>New Zealand</li>
<li>North Macedonia</li>
<li>Norway</li>
<li>Panama</li>
<li>Poland</li>
<li>Portugal</li>
<li>Qatar</li>
<li>Republic of Korea</li>
<li>Romania</li>
<li>San Marino</li>
<li>Serbia</li>
<li>Singapore</li>
<li>Slovakia</li>
<li>Slovenia</li>
<li>Spain</li>
<li>Suriname</li>
<li>Sweden</li>
<li>Switzerland</li>
<li>Taiwan</li>
<li>Thailand</li>
<li>Tunisia</li>
<li>T&uuml;rkiye</li>
<li>United Arab Emirates</li>
<li>United Kingdom</li>
<li>United States</li>
<li>Uruguay</li>
</ol>
Further details on the application process and specific requirements will be provided as the launch date approaches.
Given Japan's longstanding popularity as a tourist destination and the recent drop in its currency, it's understandable that the government is introducing these measures. With the anticipated surge in tourism, these steps aim to mitigate the risk of visitors overstaying their welcome, ensuring that the country can maintain control over its borders while continuing to attract travellers from around the world.
The real question now is how effective this new system will prove to be?
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
FOMO much? Follow our <a style="color: #ff0000;" href="https://www.facebook.com/mycclub/">Facebook</a> and <a style="color: #ff0000;" href="https://www.instagram.com/myc_news/?hl=en">Instagram</a> for more updates.

The new system aims to curb illegal immigration and protect Japan’s tourism industry.

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Planning A Trip To Japan? Malaysians Will Soon Need Travel Authorisation When Visiting

Planning A Trip To Japan? Malaysians Will Soon Need Travel Authorisation When Visiting

The new system aims to curb illegal immigration and protect Japan’s tourism industry.

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