According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The Straits Times , the government may consider using part of the increased revenue to lower passport acquisition fees, thereby offsetting the burden on Japanese travellers.

Some members of the Liberal Democratic Party are calling for a hike even higher than 3,000 yen, though no final decision has been made.

Japan collected a record 52.48 billion yen in departure tax revenue in the fiscal year that ended in March 2025, reflecting the strong recovery in travel .

The government plans to use the increased tax income to address concerns linked to overtourism, including overcrowding, congestion, and poor behaviour at major tourist sites.

Officials say such measures are becoming increasingly urgent as Japan experiences a sharp rise in inbound tourist arrivals.

The proposal remains under discussion as part of broader efforts to manage the impact of tourism on local communities and public infrastructure, according to Kyodo News .

The remarks came during a stop at Yokosuka Naval Base as part of Trump’s ongoing Asia tour. Earlier in the day, he held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, focusing on regional security, defence cooperation, and trade ties.

The visit to Japan follows Trump’s attendance at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend. The president is expected to continue his trip with a visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in what is anticipated to be one of the most closely watched encounters of his tour.