On March 24, the Japan Tourism Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and JATA held a joint press conference in Tokyo to announce the start of accepting applications for the issuance of new passports (2025 passports). JATA also launched the “More Overseas” project on the same day, which includes subsidies for passport acquisition costs and a campaign for travel products! Overseas” project, which includes subsidies for passport acquisition costs and the development of travel product campaigns, was also launched on the same day.
The new passport is based on the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other organizations, and has greatly strengthened anti-counterfeiting and anti-tampering measures. The photo page is now made of plastic, and is printed and imprinted with a laser. The new passport is more difficult to counterfeit than ever before, with a black-and-white photo that reveals the date of birth from different angles, and an engraving that can be detected by touching it with the finger.
Naoya Purinegawa, Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency, Keiichi Iwamoto, Director General of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Hiroyuki Takahashi, Chairman of JATA, took the stage at the press conference to explain that the number of Japanese departing Japan in 2024 has recovered to approximately 13 million for the first time in five years, but is still only 60 to 70% of the pre-Corona level. He also explained that the new passport issuance started today, and that the Osaka-Kansai Expo will start in April next month, with pavilions from other countries to be exhibited, making this project a good opportunity to build momentum.
The latest passport ownership rate is 17.3%, and it is noticeable that the younger generation in particular is not traveling abroad. Director Genrikawa stated, “Getting young people to go abroad and learn about cultural differences will lead to their future,” and Chairman Takahashi said, “The sense and value that can only be gained through real experience is being lost. Interaction with foreign cultures, histories, and people is an invaluable experience.” They expressed their desire to use this project as an opportunity to increase the passport-holding rate among the younger generation.
In addition, actor/artist Gosuke Iwata has been appointed as JATA’s overseas travel ambassador.
More! The passport acquisition cost assistance, which is the core of the “Go Overseas” project, has a budget of around 200 million yen and is a large-scale project targeting 25,000 people. 36 JATA member travel agencies and 6 domestic airports (a total of 42 travel agencies and organizations) are participating, and each company is offering different measures such as cash back, point grants, and travel price discounts. Each company is offering different programs such as cash back, points and discounts on travel prices. Some are especially geared toward the younger generation, such as university students only, those up to 19 years old, and those up to 29 years old, and while the amount of assistance varies from each company, it generally ranges from 5,000 yen to the full cost (around 16,000 yen).
To cite a few specific examples, JTB has announced that it will give back up to 15,900 yen worth of points, equivalent to the cost of a 10-year passport, to those aged 0-29 only (starting April 14), HIS will give up to 10,000 yen worth of its gift certificates to the first 1,000 passengers (March 24-May 8), ANA X will give 10,000 SKY coins to those aged 29 and under (March 24-September 15), and Jalapak will give up to 10,000 eJAL points (March 24-May 15). ANA X will grant 10,000 SKY Coins to those 29 years old and younger (March 24-September 15), JALPAC will grant up to 10,000 eJAL points (March 24-May 15), and more details! You can check the details from the Overseas Summary page.
The project itself is a long-term one that will run until the end of March 2026, but each company has a budget cap, so if you are considering issuing a passport and traveling abroad, it would be a good idea to choose where to apply early.
The program also aims to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen support systems to increase the sense of security for overseas travel, and new initiatives will begin, such as providing information through the Japan Tourism Agency’s “Tour Safety Net” and expanding cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Tabi-Registry” and travel agencies.
© Source travel watch
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