Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 26 issued a notice recommending that citizens submit passport applications early, before the summer holiday season begins. The reason cited is the expected sharp increase in applications when passport fees are reduced starting next month.
According to the notice, the fee reduction policy will take effect in June 2026, aiming to encourage overseas travel. However, this also raises the risk of overloading the processing system at passport offices nationwide.
The Ministry urged citizens to proactively apply early, especially those planning overseas summer trips, to avoid delays. Passport offices will bolster staffing and extend working hours to meet rising demand.
The move comes as Japan's tourism industry rebounds strongly after the pandemic, with the number of citizens traveling abroad expected to surge during the upcoming summer holidays.
