Japan will implement pre-arrival screening for visa-free travelers starting in fiscal 2028, aiming to further enhance its booming inbound tourism, according to the Justice Ministry.

This initiative is modeled after the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and seeks to increase the efficiency of entry processes.

In 2024, a record over 36.87 million foreign travelers visited Japan, marking a 47.1 percent increase from the previous year.

Tourism is a key component of Japan’s growth strategy as the government aims to raise this number to 60 million by 2030.

Under the new system, travelers from visa-exempt countries will be required to submit travel and personal information, such as names, purposes of stay, and locations, several days before arrival.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan will review this data in advance, and travelers with any criminal history or records of illegal stays may be denied boarding.

Nationals from 71 countries and regions, including the United States and South Korea, are currently exempt from visa requirements for short-term stays.

The ESTA system was established by the U.S. in 2001 following the September 11 attacks, and similar systems have since been adopted by several countries, including Canada.

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