News Only 17.5% of Japanese nationals hold passports

In 2024, only one-sixth of Japanese nationals held passports, a significantly lower rate than in other developed countries. This reflects rising travel costs and a declining interest in overseas trips among younger generations.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately 21.64 million Japanese held valid passports at year-end. While 3.82 million passports were issued in 2024—an increase from 2023—this remained about 700,000 below the 2019 pre-pandemic level. Roughly half of the new passports went to individuals under 30, while those aged 60 and older accounted for 13%.

Japan's passport ownership rate peaked at 24% in 2013 but has steadily declined, dropping below 20% in 2021 and showing a slight recovery after pandemic restrictions were lifted. In contrast, passport ownership rates stand at approximately 50% in the U.S., 40% in South Korea, and 60% in Taiwan, according to the Japan Association of Travel Agents.

This is despite Japanese passports being among the world's strongest, giving holders many options for visa-free travel. Japan placed second in this year's ranking by U.K.-based Henley & Partners, with 190 destinations that can be visited without visas. The slump stems partly from economic factors. Many people appear to have ruled out overseas travel as a leisure activity as the yen weakens and prices rise at destinations. The cost of studying abroad has soared as well.

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Shifting attitudes toward travel may influence Japanese nationals' decline in overseas trips. JNTO reported that around 13 million Japanese travelled abroad in 2024, roughly half the pre-pandemic level and just over a third of the number of foreign visitors to Japan.

Many who could not travel internationally during the pandemic may have found domestic tourism equally enjoyable. Moreover, younger Japanese seem less inclined to seek overseas opportunities than their peers in other Asian countries. With fewer chances for students to gain international experience, there are concerns that Japan's global competitiveness could further decline.

Paywall alert:

This could be a reflection of many different things, one of which might be the answer to, "How satisfied/happy are you with your own country?"

(inverse relationship)

My passport has expired since my last overseas trip was to Beijing in 2010.
In the 90s, there was a backpacking boom, so I traveled to Europe and New Zealand as well. However, when I went to Indonesia for work, I was concerned about hygiene and security, so I tended to avoid Southeast Asia.

In recent years, I haven't felt like traveling to Japan's neighboring countries (China, South Korea, and Russia) due to political instability.

"World's Strongest" Japanese Passport – Ownership Rate Declines to 17% [Good to Know!] [Good! Morning] (February 24, 2025)

The number of Japanese passports issued last year was approximately 3.82 million.

As of the end of December, the number of valid passports was 21.64 million, bringing the ownership rate down to around 17%.

The Japanese passport is often called the "world's strongest" due to the large number of countries it allows visa-free travel to. However, only one in six Japanese citizens holds a passport.

The ownership rate has been on a downward trend since 2013, when it was 24%.

Voices from the Public:
30s without a passport:

"It would be nice to travel abroad, but I just don't have the money."
"It's about time and scheduling."
"I figure I can just get one when I actually decide to travel."
60s who haven't renewed their passport:

"There are many unstable regions, so I don't really feel like traveling abroad casually."
(From the February 24, 2025, broadcast of "Good! Morning")