In Japan, the number of citizens holding valid passports has dwindled significantly, with only 17.5 percent of the population currently possessing one. This marks a sharp decline from five years ago when nearly a quarter of Japanese citizens held passports. The weak yen and safety concerns abroad are influencing this trend, prompting more Japanese to prefer domestic holidays over international travel.
As of December, 21.6 million Japanese held valid passports, a significant drop compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The foreign ministry's recent report highlights a notable decline in passport ownership, attributing the decrease to the pandemic's impact on international travel. The pandemic led to a sharp reduction in global travel activities, which has continued to affect travel behaviors even as restrictions ease.
Atsushi Suzuki, a 34-year-old Tokyo resident employed by an international NGO, exemplifies this shift. His passport expired during the pandemic, and he has yet to renew it. Suzuki expressed nostalgia for past travels, stating:
“I used to travel abroad when I was younger, but I guess the last time I went abroad for a holiday was to Thailand in 2012 when I was still a university student.” – Atsushi Suzuki
The weak yen is another contributing factor to the declining interest in international travel. With less favorable exchange rates, traveling abroad has become more costly for Japanese citizens. In addition, safety concerns regarding overseas destinations further discourage international trips.
Suzuki shared his thoughts on renewing his passport:
“Mine ran out a couple of years ago and I was just thinking that I really should renew it because I’m going to have to go abroad again for work sooner or later.” – Atsushi Suzuki
Despite having a job that might eventually require international travel, Suzuki, like many others, has no immediate plans to holiday overseas. Instead, he and many others find comfort in exploring Japan's abundant tourist resources.
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