According to Japan Today and Ohayo Jepang, the Japanese government raised visa fees for foreign nationals for the first time in nearly 50 years, increasing single-entry tourist permits fivefold from 3,000 yen (Rp 330 ribu) to 15,000 yen starting July 1, 2026. In direct retaliation, the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo announced that visa fees for Japanese citizens entering China would increase by over seven times starting Monday, September 14, 2026, shifting single-entry costs from 2,250 yen (Rp 257 ribuan) to 16,750 yen (Rp 1,9 jutaan).
Retaliatory Visa Fee Hikes Between China and Japan
The diplomatic friction intensified after Tokyo adjusted its pricing structure. According to statistical data from 2025 cited by Japan Today, Chinese travelers represent the largest foreign tourist market for Japan, accounting for 73% of all issued visas. Ohayo Jepang reported that the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo issued a statement on September 11, 2026, confirming that the new tariff schedule relies strictly on a principle of reciprocity.
Under the updated Chinese policy, multiple-entry visas for Japanese citizens also jumped significantly, rising from 7,500 yen to 50,250 yen (approximately Rp 5,73 million), according to Ohayo Jepang. The publication noted that China previously implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for short-term Japanese visitors in November 2024, a gesture now superseded by the new fee structure.
Did you know? Japan’s July 2026 tariff adjustment marked its first visa fee increase since 1978, implemented amid broader economic pressures including inflation and a weakened yen against major global currencies, as reported by Ohayo Jepang.
Geopolitical Triggers Behind the Border Restrictions
The fee escalation traces back to political friction that erupted in late 2025. According to Japan Today, bilateral tensions flared on November 7, 2025, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives in the Japanese Parliament. During the session, Prime Minister Takaichi discussed potential military intervention in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
The remarks characterized any Chinese attack on Taiwan as a serious existential threat to Japan, given the geographic proximity of just 110 km between the two regions, as reported by Japan Today. Beijing responded with sharp condemnation, asserting that the Taiwan issue remains an absolute domestic affair.
Visa Cost Comparison
| Route / Country | Previous Rate | New Rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Visa for Foreign Nationals (Single-Entry) | 3,000 yen (Rp 330 ribu) | 15,000 yen (Rp 1.650.000) |
| China Visa for Japanese Citizens (Single-Entry) | 2,250 yen (Rp 257 ribuan) | 16,750 yen (Rp 1,9 jutaan) |
| China Visa for Japanese Citizens (Multiple-Entry) | 7,500 yen | 50,250 yen (approximately Rp 5,73 million) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did China increase visa fees for Japanese citizens?
According to Ohayo Jepang, the Chinese government raised visa fees for Japanese nationals starting Monday, September 14, 2026, following an announcement by the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo on September 11, 2026.
Why did Japan raise its foreign visa fees in 2026?
Ohayo Jepang reported that Japan increased its single-entry visa fees by five times in July 2026 for the first time since 1978, responding to domestic inflation and a weakened yen.
What triggered the diplomatic rift between Beijing and Tokyo?
According to Japan Today, bilateral tensions escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated in November 2025 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would pose an existential security threat to Japan.
How much does a single-entry visa to China cost Japanese citizens now?
As reported by Japan Today and Ohayo Jepang, single-entry visas for Japanese citizens rose from 2,250 yen (Rp 257 ribuan) to 16,750 yen (Rp 1,9 jutaan), representing a more than sevenfold increase.
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