Tokyo: Japan will initiate a prearrival screening process for visa-free travelers starting in fiscal 2028, aiming to further enhance its burgeoning inbound tourism sector, as announced by the Justice Ministry.

According to Lao News Agency, the government intends to streamline the process by adopting a system similar to the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This announcement follows a record-breaking influx of foreign travelers in 2024, with 36.87 million visitors, marking a 47.1 percent increase from the previous year. As tourism is a key component of Japan’s growth strategy, the government plans to increase the number of visitors to 60 million by 2030.

Under the new system, travelers from countries that are exempt from visa requirements for short-term stays will need to submit travel and personal information, including names, purposes of stay, and locations, several days prior to their arrival. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan will review the submitted data in advance. Travelers with a criminal history or records of illegal stays in Japan may be prohibited from boarding flights to Japan.

According to the Foreign Ministry, citizens of 71 countries and regions, such as the United States and South Korea, are currently exempt from acquiring visas for short-term visits. The United States first implemented the ESTA system in 2001 after the September 11 terrorist attacks, and several countries, including Canada, have since adopted similar systems.

The agency is also exploring additional measures to enhance the efficiency of the screening process, including the use of digital technologies and the elimination of in-person procedures.