The Thai Consular Department is increasingly concerned about the increasing number of Thais overstaying in Japan, which has risen from 8,688 in 2021 to 11,472 in 2023.
The Japanese government has called on Thailand to quickly resolve the issue, warning that its visa-free policy for Thai tourists could be reviewed in 2025 if the situation does not improve.
Chotechuang Soorangura, vice president of the Thai Travel Association, reassured people that the number of overstayers is only a small proportion of the total number of Thai tourists to Japan, which is expected to be around 1 million by 2023. The ratio is less than 2%.
Thai tourists staying in Japan raise concerns about visa exemption policy.
If Japan decides to reimpose visa requirements, it will likely be done after Expo 2025, which is scheduled to take place in Osaka from April to October. The delay is intended to ensure a smooth flow of visitors to the event.
He also reassured Thai tourists not to worry about Japan's tightening of immigration controls. Tourism plays a major role in Japan's economy, so the country will continue to welcome international visitors. However, Chotechuang warned that many tourist attractions in Japan may impose taxes or limit the number of visitors due to overtourism. For example, Mount Fuji currently charges a $13 entrance fee and has a daily visitor quota. Osaka is also proposing a new tax on foreign visitors.
Kyoto's famous Gion district will ban foreign tourists from private streets from April due to local frustration at the sudden increase in visitors.
Japan introduced a visa-free policy for Thai tourists in July 2013 to boost tourism after the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. The scheme was temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but was reinstated in October 2022.
