Last Updated on 2025 年 12 月 25 日 by 総合編集組
Japan 2025 Fast-Track Entry Guide: Digital Border Management for Smoother Travel
Japan has become one of the world’s top travel destinations, welcoming over 3 million international visitors per month in recent years. This surge, driven by post-pandemic recovery and favorable exchange rates, has prompted the Japanese government to overhaul its border management system. The focus has shifted from traditional paper-based checks to a fully digital, pre-arrival screening approach. This transformation aims to reduce congestion at major airports, address labor shortages, and enhance security through biometric data and big data analysis.
The Core of Japan’s Digital Entry System: Visit Japan Web (VJW)
Visit Japan Web (VJW), launched by Japan’s Digital Agency, serves as the primary online platform for all inbound travelers, including tourists, business visitors, and returning Japanese nationals. It replaces the old practice of filling out paper forms on flights, enabling paperless processing via QR codes.
To use VJW, users must create an account with mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA) for security. The system supports major browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, and offers interfaces in multiple languages, including Traditional Chinese, to lower barriers for non-Japanese speakers. Password requirements include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, special characters, and a minimum length of 10 characters. An auto-logout feature after 30 minutes adds extra protection in public Wi-Fi environments.
The registration process involves four main steps: user profile setup (using OCR to scan passport details), planned entry information (flight details, first-night accommodation, and contact info), entry records (purpose of visit and stay duration), and customs declaration (prohibited items, duty-free allowances, and cash limits). Since early 2024, immigration and customs QR codes have been merged into one, streamlining checks at airports like Haneda and Narita, saving travelers 5-10 minutes on average.
VJW also integrates tax-free shopping. Users generate a digital QR code for eligible purchases at participating stores, reducing wear on physical passports. However, a shift to a “pay first, refund later” model is planned for 2026, linking purchases to airport refund kiosks. Travelers are advised to carry physical passports as some smaller shops still require them.
Japan’s Trusted Traveler Program (TTP): VIP Access for Frequent Visitors
For regular visitors seeking maximum efficiency, the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) offers automated gate access, bypassing long manual queues. The program targets individuals with strong backgrounds and stable travel histories, divided into five categories:
- Category A: Holders of valid U.S. Global Entry membership.
- Category B: Public officials, international organization staff, or employees of large Japanese companies.
- Category C: Business travelers invited by Japanese government entities or listed corporations.
- Category D: High-credit tourists with platinum-level or higher credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners Club, Discover, or UnionPay) and at least two entries to Japan in the past 12 months.
- Category E: Eligible spouses and minor children of the above categories.
Category D is the most accessible for travelers from Taiwan and Hong Kong. It emphasizes socioeconomic reliability, requiring proof of credit card status (personal cards only, no corporate ones). During secondary screening, applicants must present the physical card.
In 2025, fees increased: new issuance to 4,000 JPY (from 2,200 JPY) and re-issuance to 2,000 JPY. Payment uses revenue stamps purchased at post offices or convenience stores. Applications involve online pre-checks followed by in-person interviews within three months at designated locations, such as Haneda (08:00-17:00), Narita Terminals 1 and 2 (08:00-16:00), Kansai (09:00-21:00), and regional immigration offices (weekdays 09:00-16:00).
Recommended credit cards for Category D include Taiwan’s YuShan Unicard (Signature, up to 4.5% rewards), Cathay United CUBE (Signature/World, up to 3.3% unlimited), and others with strong Japan-specific perks. Dual-currency cards help avoid exchange rate risks.
Taiwan-Japan Preclearance Pilot: A Game-Changer at Taoyuan Airport
Launched in January 2025, the preclearance program allows eligible Taiwanese tourists to complete immigration procedures at Taoyuan International Airport before departure. This includes passport verification, fingerprinting, facial recognition, and purpose confirmation. Upon arrival in Japan, travelers skip full checks and proceed directly to baggage claim, reducing time from about one hour to minutes.
Participating airlines include China Airlines, EVA Air, Starlux, and Tigerair Taiwan. It applies to short-term sightseeing trips to 13 secondary airports (e.g., Hakodate, Sendai, Okayama, Kumamoto, Kagoshima). This initiative reflects strong bilateral trust and may expand to major hubs like Haneda and Narita if successful.
Airport Upgrades: One Terminal and Common Kiosks
Complementing preclearance is the “One Terminal” initiative, featuring integrated Common Kiosks. Travelers scan QR codes for customs confirmation before baggage claim. Facial data links to electronic gates for automatic passage. According to ICAO reports, these kiosks improve processing speed by around 30%.
Practical Challenges and User Insights
While digital tools are efficient, real-world issues persist. Airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable during peak times—savvy travelers screenshot QR codes offline. OCR failures due to lighting require manual input after three attempts. Family registrations are convenient but require individual QR scans at gates.
Community feedback (e.g., Reddit’s JapanTravel and JapanTravelTips) shows mixed views: some find VJW shifts paperwork from planes to devices without priority, while others praise electronic gates for seamless passage.
Looking Ahead: J-ESTA and Full Biometric Integration
Japan plans to introduce J-ESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization) by the end of fiscal 2028. Modeled after the U.S. ESTA, it will require pre-approval from 71 visa-exempt countries for enhanced security and efficiency.
Tax-free shopping will fully shift to airports in 2026, with VJW tracking purchases for automatic refunds. These changes aim to make borders seamless and predictive.
Final Recommendations for 2025 Travelers
Complete VJW 48 hours in advance and store QR codes offline. Frequent visitors should apply for TTP despite the fee increase. Opt for preclearance flights from Taoyuan to secondary cities. Monitor official updates, as policies evolve rapidly.
Japan’s digital border system transforms entry into a smooth experience, blending technology with hospitality for global travelers.
