At the end of 2024, only 17.5% of Japanese nationals possessed a passport, despite Japan holding one of the world's most powerful passports. This document allows visa-free travel to an impressive 190 destinations worldwide. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 3.82 million passports were issued in 2024, marking a slight increase from 2023. However, this figure still represents a reduction of approximately 700,000 compared to the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.
A closer examination of demographic data reveals that younger individuals are more likely to hold passports, with nearly half of all passport holders under the age of 30. Conversely, Japanese citizens aged 60 and above comprised only 13% of passport holders. At the close of the year, Japan had around 21.64 million valid passports in circulation.
The proportion of passport holders in Japan continues to lag behind other advanced economies. Several factors may contribute to this phenomenon. Rising costs associated with overseas travel could be deterring potential travelers from acquiring passports. Additionally, there appears to be a declining interest in international travel among the younger generations.
It is noteworthy that the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly impact the number of passports issued in 2024. Despite the challenges posed by the global health crisis, issuance numbers remained relatively stable, indicating other factors at play in the declining trend since 2019. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not provided specific reasons for this decrease.
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