Good news, folks. If you require a visa to enter Japan, soon you no longer have to queue at the Japanese embassy (or visa office) in your home country. The Japanese government has announced that starting from April 2020, foreign visitors can apply for their visa electronically.
The country is aiming for 40 million foreign travellers annually beginning 2020 (28.7 million as of 2017), hence this new system will make the visa application processes much easier – especially during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when immigration control will be tightened. This way visa data can be shared with the airlines.
Tourists from China will be the first to benefit from this new online system for single-entry visa applications as they make up the biggest percentage of inbound visitors. From April 2020, it will be possible for them to apply for the e-visa online via travel agencies – and this service will gradually be rolled out to other countries.
Do note that from January 2019, the new departure tax known as 'Sayonara Tax' will be implemented. Travellers will have to pay a fee of ¥1,000 upon departing Japan.