Surge in inbound tourists pushes Japan to explore dual pricing

A first-world country with dual pricing, how embarrassing

Yonemitsu said the restaurant has had to hike wages to hire English-speaking staff and also faces costs training them to serve foreign customers.

Total BS. The English-speaking staff are not getting paid more. And any training the Japanese-speaking management is giving the English-speaking staff to teach them to speak English to English-speaking tourists would be minimal.

Cheats looking to cash in on the unsuspecting. Bozwolox!

Just looking for excuses to make money!

Lets kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

Most restaurants have photos of the dishes served anyway.

Customers unfamiliar with Japanese language are'nt seeking a discussion of, say, " Plato " when they interact with waiters.

They just want to know what's on this plato. {dats a joke }

Fish, beef, chicken, pork, vegies etc.

Is this an impossible task for wait staff who, presumably, have studied English at school.

"I am a pen ".

And on this...

I have trouble with "I am " and "I have " in in Japanese and other languages.

I once told a group of homeless people, with a little puppy

"I'm a dog...I'm a labrador.." {patting my chest proudly, } "Labrador I am "

Foreigner who being Japanese resident, they'll be subject to expensive pricing too?

Just because they are foreigner?

There was an article the other day on Barcelona raising a tourist tax, and no one batted an eye.

I can see this is going to work out swell...NOT! Not least because how are Jo businesses going to decide who's a tourist...but this is Japan after all so I git my popcorn ready.

A restaurant that charges foreign tourists 7,678 yen, while Japanese and foreigners living in Japan can have the same meal for 1,100 yen less should be illegal!

Complete rip-off, immoral and something seen in what Trump call "craphole countries."

And social media spreads names of "offending " places like wild fire.

Not good looking forward.

I remember when a much poorer than today China had a two tiered pricing system. China graduated itself out of that and you and I will pay the same amount to visit the Forbidden City as Ms. Wang next to you in line.

Apparently Japan is getting a demotion to a two tier pricing nation.

(Do these restaurant and other business owners in Japan understand that pretty much everyone now has a pocket translator in the form of our mobile phones?)

I’ll have to make a new Tshirt with “ I live, work and pay my taxes here. Please don’t charge me extra”.

Utter BS! Where does this end once it starts? First restaurants,,then temples, taxis? Supermarkets, clothing stores? It will be a mess! Do foreign residents have to start a discussion every day and every establishment ti convince the staff that they are entitled to pay the lower price? The price you see should be the price to everyone. Did they offer a discount when the dollar hit 75 yen around 2010?

This is an unfair practice, this is stealing.

This is exactly what it is Ripping off tourists. The government should create a law to create dual pricing.

How will a restaurant distinguish between a permanent resident and a tourist?

Kokugakuin University's Umekawa said, urging businesses and operators to depart from the mindset that they need to keep prices low and offer the same services to both Japanese and non-Japanese customers.

Hey Prof Umekawa, maybe climb out of your ivory tower for a while and see that the local people cannot afford all these price increases. They are being priced out of their own market. I'm not saying I am a fan of the two price system, but just saying raise prices is not the only answer since for many people wages are just not raising enough or at all to pay for all the price inflation they are experiencing!

Whether I agree with this or not, unless it’s illegal, I suppose restaurant owners can set dual pricing, however misguided that might be. My concern is with the use of the word “foreigner”. The media, Japan Today included, would do well to either stop using the word “foreigner” with regards to this storyline, or at the very least, question whether or not the owners mean foreigners or simply non-resident or non-resident foreigners, Otherwise, they are simply engaging in lazy and irresponsible journalism. The choice of word greatly changes the meaning, effect and tone of this issue.

It's only fair that hotels, restaurants and retail shops charge more for foreigners. Most Japanese staff cannot adequately use a second language, so the businesses need to hire fluent English/Chinese/Korean etc speakers - at big expense.

Dual pricing happens everywhere else in Asia. Plus, let's be honest here - most foreigners have more money than Japanese customers.

umToday  07:09 am JST

There was an article the other day on Barcelona raising a tourist tax, and no one batted an eye.

i can’t say whether or not that’s accurate but if it is might it not have something to do with this being a Japanese news site, with many of the posters being residents of Japan and not Barcelona?

Other foreign tourist destinations that differentiate between locals and visitors include the Diamond Head state park in Hawaii, where state residents can enter for free while foreign tourists and those from other U.S. states are charged. The move created little outcry.

Misleading statement, other states including Hawaii pay for parks and other public areas from local taxation sources. Most US states charge fees for out of state residents because they don't pay local/state taxes. Another form of taxation without representation.

Honest question:

When my mom comes to visit next week are we going to be paying different prices for the same meal when we go out to eat together?

No doubt Japan residents who aren't Japanese will have to pay the higher price. Just as discriminatory as those restaurants who refuse to serve anyone who doesn't look Japanese.

So, gonna charge Thais, Indonesian and Vietnamese tourists more than Japanese? How things have changed. Don't Japanese feel embarrassed that the people they formerly regarded as poor relations are now going to be charged more than them? Partly because they can afford travel but Japanese are nowhere to be seen these days in SE Asia.

Dual pricing happens everywhere else in Asia.

Dual pricing happens all over Europe too, but it doesn't mean the net result is good for the economy, ie if tourists are choosing to elsewhere, ALL their money is spent elsewhere. This has been proven in places like Venice, Paris etc.

@Fighto

so the businesses need to hire fluent English/Chinese/Korean etc speakers - at big expense.

“At big expense”

Name one business in Japan that is paying Employee 1 more than Employee 2 based solely on the foreign language ability of Employee 1.

This is common practice in most countries. I have to pay more as a foreign tourist in most countries I have visited. There is always a surcharge for foreign language tours. This will be beneficial for everyone as the economy will grow.

Dual pricing would be impossible to implement with a foreign population of 3 million living in Japan. They would have to show proof of residence causing further discrimination. What happens when a mixed group goes to dinner together? Nationals pay one price foreigners pay another.

I can see this is going to work out swell...NOT! Not least because how are Jo businesses going to decide who's a tourist...but this is Japan after all so I git my popcorn ready.

As Karl Malden never said: “Relax. You’ve got gaijin card.”

If Japan wants to finally pop the bubble and lose their precious image that foreigners are welcomed to Japan ( which is one of the huge draws to the culture, the ‘kindness’ of the Japanese people ) then keep on this road. I guess it’s time to get real.

Even personally understand the frustrations of the working poor, who now have the lowest adjustable wages in the G20, but a two tiered pricing system in one of the most developed countries on the planet will be a huge hit to their image. Not surprised that they are looking to a quick, exploitative fix to the economic mismanagement of the lost decades. Easy fixes are their thing and if foreigners can take the brunt, then that’s just perfectamundo!

"I think imposing the extra costs created by foreign tourists onto locals would be unfair,”

Quite sensible. Tourists from China and Korea who speak good Japanese can pass as locals and dodge the dual pricing. Those from the U.S. and Europe might have some difficulty.

Fighto!Today  07:32 am JST

It's only fair that hotels, restaurants and retail shops charge more for foreigners. Most Japanese staff cannot adequately use a second language, so the businesses need to hire fluent English/Chinese/Korean etc speakers - at big expense. 

So, if a non-resident foreigner goes to one of these hotels, restaurants or retail shops, and can’t find someone to communicate with them in their native language, should they be charged the same price as Japanese?

Dual pricing happens everywhere else in Asia. Plus, let's be honest here - most foreigners have more money than Japanese customers.

By that logic should rich Japanese have to pay more for these types of services than less well-off Japanese?

As local, omotenashi discriminatory - what an oxymoron - via dual pricing is bad.

The criminal yakuza known as the BOJ, rise the interest rate!! Not this discriminatory practice.

Only the Japanophiles can agree with this because this is is pure and simple discrimination and racist counting that this is coming from a so called developed country.

Japan and it’s uneasiness with dealing with the outside is never ending.

what a shame.

“I’ll have to make a new Tshirt with “ I live, work and pay my taxes here. Please don’t charge me extra”.

You won’t need a new T shirt. Just bring your resident card to prove your status.

Another stupid idea that cannot possibly be applied consistently. What if I'm an American-born tourist to Japanese parents? I look the part, probably speak some Japanese so I get local pricing? While the long-term resident is looked at with suspicion until they produce their residence card? Absolute joke. If you need to raise your prices then do it, but do it across the board. For a universalistic culture they entertain lots of dumb "if-then" rules.

i like the guy pointing in the background of the photo.

ara! gaijin da!

A first-world country with dual pricing, how embarrassing

I don't think Japan is a first world country anymore. So much for their Omotenashi BS

Customers unfamiliar with Japanese language are'nt seeking a discussion of, say, " Plato " when they interact with waiters.

They just want to know what's on this plato. {dats a joke }

Please don’t do this.

A lot of places in Hawaii offer a Kamaaina “local” discount. It helps for hotels and some restaurants. I travel to Japan three or four times a year and I would boycott any place that had a separate menu for foreigners with inflated prices.

It's only fair that hotels, restaurants and retail shops charge more for foreigners. Most Japanese staff cannot adequately use a second language, so the businesses need to hire fluent English/Chinese/Korean etc speakers - at big expense. 

Dual pricing happens everywhere else in Asia. Plus, let's be honest here - most foreigners have more money than Japanese customers.

You have to always side whatever Japan and Japanese do don’t you.

Do I need to show my gaijin card every time I eat out?

How about foreign tourist who speak Japanese? Third payment tier?

Different prices means "we are ripping you, tourist". Not very omotenashi.

And the moment where a waiter has to judge by the looks if you are a foreigner -not a tourist- shows a lot of xenophobia. Because they are not going to charge this tax to Japanese residents that travel from Tokyo to Shikoku, right?

"How can we set the same menu price for local Japanese-speaking people and for foreign tourists, who require special assistance in English?" said Shogo Yonemitsu,

BS, they just need a printed English menu.

There was an article the other day on Barcelona raising a tourist tax, and no one batted an eye.

Kyoto already charges a tourist tax via hotels, and I think there's another one to pay in the airport at arrival as well.

I remember when a much poorer than today China had a two tiered pricing system. China graduated itself out of that and you and I will pay the same amount to visit the Forbidden City as Ms. Wang next to you in line.

They still do it in China, as well as Hawaii and Europe.

point at item on menu.

hold up fingers for how many.

special employees for english? you’d think someone could recognize my system above after 6 years of english in school?

If I take my daughter to the zoo will we both have to show ID?

If I take my daughter and her Japanese friends should I tell their parents to prepare their passports?

If I take my non Japanese looking resident friends and offer to pay for their tickets, will everyone have to show their ID or just the person paying?

If I take my non Japanese, Japanese looking friends will they have to show ID?

If I take my Japanese friends, shall I tell them to bring ID?

If I forget my ID, can I just call the Kempeitai?

Omotenashi at its finest. /s

Money grab that’s all this is any establishment doing this should be named and shamed

Businesses will not be employing foreign-speaking staff. Chinese are the largest tourist group followed by South Koreans.

American-born Japanese visiting the country would pay the national price because they look like one even though they are tourists.

Just bring your resident card to prove your status.

...for everyone else, they needca t-shirt that says 'I'm an ignorant tourist who ignores discriminatory pricing, love being ripped off, and emptying my wallet as fast as possible'. How long can this last?

George's Brasserievin Lyon, France has been around since the 1800s, without the need to introduce dual pricing. Same problem with language, 100 millions tourists visiting France each year...IMHO, dual pricing is lazy brain, and will deservedly fail in time, as many businesses in Venice has discovered.

LOL. We mostly cook at home already, but when visitors come, if I have to deal with double pricing then forget restaurants. It's already almost impossible to go anywhere popular due to the line ups.

""How can we set the same menu price for local Japanese-speaking people and for foreign tourists, who require special assistance in English?" said Shogo Yonemitsu, owner of buffet-style seafood restaurant Tamatebako, located in the bustling Shibuya district in Tokyo.""

NO NEED for ""special assistance"", Simply Print an English Menu,

Japan will soon drive off and turn off tourists, with the internet and social posts the news spreads faster than ever and if people find out many will take their business somewhere else like Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, China, and S. Korea. there are many places in Asia that will will be more than happy to receive them.

It could also complicate things for staff; what if a group comes in with some locals and some non-locals? How are they going to charge the group?

My wife is Japanese, and I'm not, but we aren't living full-time in Japan right now. Does she get the local price, and I pay the 'foreign tourist' price, or do we both pay that, and who decides? Do we have to announce this at every establishment we go to?

One more thing, let Tourists know upfront that Japan has a "Two-tiered systems" so they know and see the number of tourists drop sharply.

> SumToday  07:09 am JST

There was an article the other day on Barcelona raising a tourist tax, and no one batted an eye.

Well, raising the tourist tax and charging higher prices in restaurants and bars - are they the same thing though?

toolonggoneToday  07:31 am JST

Whether I agree with this or not, unless it’s illegal, I suppose restaurant owners can set dual pricing, however misguided that might be. My concern is with the use of the word “foreigner”. The media, Japan Today included, would do well to either stop using the word “foreigner” with regards to this storyline, or at the very least, question whether or not the owners mean foreigners or simply non-resident or non-resident foreigners, Otherwise, they are simply engaging in lazy and irresponsible journalism. The choice of word greatly changes the meaning, effect and tone of this issue.

Yes, the word 'foreigners' is only used when no other word would work. 'International tourist' is the preferred word everywhere else but I guess that's not a direct translation of 'gaikokujin'.

Their country, their rules..

Want to visit the coolest and freakiest country of the world??..

Pay the price..

More money to Japan's coffers..

Insane!

But some businesses and entities have argued that the dual-price system is not meant to "rip off" visitors but done out of "urgent necessity," citing rising labor and other costs as tourists numbers swell.

Was a joke! So what they are saying is

"We have more business, more clients, making more money, because of tourists, so we need to charge them more because we are making more money because we have more clients!"

I don't think there is really a fair way to implement it as it will inevitably end up being race-based.

ID checking everyone is not possible, as not all Japanese people carry IDs all the time - so only foreign looking people would be subject to the check.

Also, Japanese or people of Japanese descent residing abroad would be able to take advantage of the system unfairly.

Wouhou so bad on many levels

If a resteraunt (or any establishment) in Japan tried to charge me more than a local, I would just get up and walk out.

I have a simple solution for foreigners that don't want to be subject to dual pricing - don't buy local. Chain restaurants and bars will never charge you more for being a tourist. Likely, neither will foreigner-owned businesses. The whole idea of eating at a mom-and-pop restaurant is the appeal of electing to support their business over their corporate competitors that usually charge less anyway. But then they treat you more like you are a problem to be addressed than a guest.

Let me list some of the problems I have had at local restaurants here:

-Higher prices

-Drastically smaller portion sizes

-Always feel pressured to buy drinks instead of just asking for water

-Involuntary "service" items

-Unable to pay by credit card

Customer service in Japan is pretty bad in my opinion, if you are going local. Why should I give them my money if they don't like me from the get-go? Dual pricing is a foolish move and yet another omen for a country that continually has problems dealing with foreigners. And I don't even want to hear the excuse that other countries do this - name me ONE restaurant in the US that charges tourists more. If this idea were even floated there it would be universally condemned.

"Given that we have 100 to 150 customers a day while the restaurant has 35-seat capacity, every second is like a war. No matter how we do it, it takes more time to attend to a foreign customer such as to explain how the buffet works, how to grill and eat the food, all in English," Yonemitsu said.

> Tamatebako's approach is also about retaining local customers, Yonemitsu said, noting they still account for 80 percent of those who walk through the door.

So without tourists he has 20% less business, meaning 20 % less revenue.

So the extra 20% business easily covers the extre cost, which is also a false claim he has to pay "English speaking" staff more!

The 7 eleven and Lawson's near my place has nearly all non Japanese staff, Nepalese, Uyghurs, Filipino, etc... all speak at least 3 languages and are paid the same as the Japanese staff, I know because I have had many conversations with them.

Their country, their rules..

Want to visit the coolest and freakiest country of the world??..

Pay the price..

More money to Japan's coffers..

And I would not be surprised if that is not the kind of arrogant attitude behind it all: "We are wonderful, the world loves Japan and so lesser people should pay the price for the privilege." Maybe people will wake up to this kind of arrogance one day.

So the solution is pretty simple - every major tourist area has restaurants/cafes aimed at the rich visitor that no one local ever goes to. These places serve the needs of the visitors - familiar food, packaged local foods, etc. Japan just needs to develop some Times Squares and Champs Elysées in its towns full of ninjas driving around Mario carts and churros shaped like squids with 5000 yen "sushi" on a stick.

Tourists would love it and locals would avoid it completely. Everyone would be happy.

Japan just needs time to develop this infrastructure. Until then - the rest is just transition/growth pains.

A good place to eat in Tokyo is Okubo. Ethnic Koreans don't rip people off.

White American here, quite obviously not Japanese. Not a resident either, so no gaijin card.

But we go to Japan at least once a year to visit my wife's family. I'm not a tourist; I'm even on the family koseki at the city hall (got married there). I ain't paying extra. When I get my bill at that restaurant, it's not going to work out for that manager the way he thought it was going to work out.

A lot of people dont seem to appreciate that there are resources that go into catering for the average foreigner (ie doesnt speak japanese).

If you are resident and you are willing to prove so, you will pay the same as Japanese nationals so whats the beef.

They should call it tourist meiwaku-fine.

American-born Japanese visiting the country would pay the national price because they look like one even though they are tourists.

No, they are Japanese, as you wrote.

 No matter how we do it, it takes more time to attend to a foreign customer such as to explain how the buffet works, how to grill and eat the food, all in English," Yonemitsu said.

.

I just want to eat!

I’ve watched food cook my whole life.

No need to explain how Japanese barbecue meat cause the laws of physics are the same all over the whole world.

A restaurant will dual prices won’t get my attention

How does a buffet work?

Now, that’s a tough one to explain…

When I worked in London as a waiter and cashier in a coffee shop and restaurant I was instructed by the owner to overcharge tourists, what I never did as it was totally wrong. It is very sad to hear that there are greedy business owners who want to exploit tourists, they will create a very bad image of Japan that has a reputation of honesty, especially regarding money.

The other day, my small caffe latte at Narita airport was 700 yen. There is no double pricing there it is already the inbound price. for everyone.

Other foreign tourist destinations that differentiate between locals and visitors include the Diamond Head state park in Hawaii, where state residents can enter for free while foreign tourists and those from other U.S. states are charged. The move created little outcry.

And this is how they always try and justify this!

Note the part "Diamond Head state park " this is not a privately owned businesses and publicly owned facilities from local museums, the parks have done this for years.

Taxes are used to maintain these places, so local tax payers pay less.

Comparing a public tax supported place and private businesses is a very different thing.

If Diamond Head was a federally owned park and was charging non Hawaii residents more, then you would see a load of complaints by USA citizens visiting from other states.

The state park is I repeat a publicity supported tax payer facility, please stop trying to compare that to private businesses charging more based on nationality!

If a private business in the USA and most other developed countries tried this, it would be illegal.

And this comparison is used in every article a d comments here, oh the Louvre, oh the state park, etc...always state owned (government) places are given as supposed examples never private.

Do locals pay less than tourists at hospitals? Yes.

Why? Because locals pay into the national health insurance system. Same thing for publicly owned attractions.

Hard to believe this is even legal.

Ethnic Japanese born in the US with American citizenship are not Japanese nationals. Japan does not recognize dual nationality.

There was an article the other day on Barcelona raising a tourist tax, and no one batted an eye

A tourist tax is applied uniformly to all visitors; it's apples and oranges to having a two-tiered pricing system at establishments.

That said, you can vote with your feet and not patronize any two-tier pricing places.

This attitude and mind-set is not only alarming for foreign visitors, but for some Japanese business owners/operators as well. Suggesting that a dual system is needed can add to the feelings of Japanese businesses that they cannot serve foreigners. I can recall a few times when Japanese lodgings were reluctant to allow me to stay because "what would happen if there is a fire in the middle of the night, how would you get out?" or "we don't have western toilets" or "we only have tatami rooms" or any of a dozen other worries. While I usually think that these are excuses not to allow foreigners to stay, at least some of the foreign-allergy of these businesses comes from the idea that it costs more to host foreigners, or that English-speaking staff is necessary. This anti-foreigner hysteria is less than it was thirty years ago, but is still found in parts of the tourism industry.

Could Kyodo news, give us examples of countries where a Two-Tiered pricing system for non citizens is legal in private businesses!

The last article gave the Louvre, a State owned, state funded facility, it gave Barcelona government charging a "tourist tax" for those arriving on cruise ships, now it gives a state owned park supported by local tax payers.

I noticed not a single example of a private business doing this "legally" in any developed country.

Yes some here have said they were charged more or given " different higher priced menues" in places like Venice Italy, but that is illegal and like

Makoto Shimizu

Today 09:08 am JST

I was instructed by the owner to overcharge tourists,

Which points to it not being a legal practice.

"I heard from my colleagues that such dual pricing is seen in Thailand's temples. We were saying, ah, at last Japan has become such a country (in charging more for foreigners)," she added.

So according to her, Japan is no different than other SE Asian nations. Maybe the west needs to treat Japan the same. No more Visa free travel for instance.

wait, aren’t most tourists from china and korea? why are people freaking out about english?

BTW, if that's the case, they should charge politicians and civil servants more as well

The big conglomerates should start to hike wages more. Japan has not experienced significant real wage growth since the 1990s, hence the low prices.

Pay your workers more. Don't rip off tourists for wanting to experience your country and leaving billions of dollars behind.

What is the alternative, to make it more expensive for everyone and price-out locals?

Is Japan seen as a high-end destination? I think it is now seen as a budget destination. Japan has had comparatively little inflation over the past 50 or so years, and 50 years ago there were no capsule hotels.

It would be interesting to the totals of nights spent by foreign tourists in capsules and spent in hotels.

Japan has become affordable. That is why it is popular.

This is a supremely bad idea. Businesses who use prices to discriminate based on where "you are from" should be required to post that fact at the front door. You don't need to have lower prices for locals. Just send then coupons in the mail or use affinity cards. Essentially, have one price for all and give discounts to locals. Businesses have been doing that forever. Remember tourists who feel discriminated against can go elsewhere and they will spread the word about your business worldwide.

Is it legal? I hope not.

I can imagine the damage to Japan these places would bring to Japan.

These business owners haven't a clue to the worldwide reach if things like Instagram.

Recently a distant relative visited Japan.

She and her husband are major travel writers and have over 500,000 followers combined on Instagram.

Has they encountered this sort of thing on their trip, this would have been posted and would show Japan as a place not to visit.

With reposts and shared, that would reach in the millions making Japan look like a underdeveloped country ripping off tourists.

Multiply this by hundreds to thousands of these types of social media posters and the damage will be irreversible.

I meet hundreds of tourists because of my business, and most say they found out about and where to go and when to visit via certain YouTube creators living in Japan that post videos showing how great this place is.

Now are we going to see loads of negative videos showing this type of Two-Tiered system practice?

Japan Gov should not let this greediness happen in world class respected Japanese business in Japan.

It's really an unfair and it won't control the tourism. In fact, it will decline and negativity toward Japanese arises.

Now I am thinking of canceling the ticket and rather use my journey plan of Japan to multi Asian countries.

Beach - I will visit Indonesia

Mountains - I will visit Nepal

Culture/Festivals - I will visit many Asian countries

Wow how backward, as a foreigner living in Japan I've delt with different situtation but paying more because of the way I look, no thank you.

Chabbawanga -

What is the alternative, to make it more expensive for everyone and price-out locals?

Exactly. That's been my main point : Japanese cannot afford price hikes on restaurants, entertainment, bars etc. Foreigners can - and will largely be prepared to wear the extra costs.

No need for overreaction here - these businesses are only talking maybe a 10-20% surcharge.

Chabbawanga

Today 09:30 am JST

What is the alternative, to make it more expensive for everyone and price-out locals?

Why because these businesses are already making more money than they were before the tourists.

The restaurant owner himself said only 80% of his business are locals so he is now making 20% more than he would without tourists.

That easily offsets any possible extra costs.

Without tourists he brings in 20% less revenue.

I don't really have a problem with it if they market and label it as a English service charge, not a you look foreign so you pay more charge. Like if they notice someone speaking in another language they can go up and ask them if they need the English service plan and that it will cost a bit more.

Dual pricing. Children from international marriages and foreigners who became Japanese citizens would need to carry ID to prove their citizenship. Japanese citizens are not required to carry ID.

Any Japanese with a foreign citizenship is no longer Japanese but because of their Japanese appearance would not be charged tourist prices.

Is it not funny that foreigners are not making a fairness argument about the JR Pass and Duty free shopping? Is not the JR Pass an example of dual pricing, since Japanese can not buy it ? Is not duty free shopping an example of dual pricing, since Japanese cant shop duty free? Indeed, is not the weak Yen another example of dual pricing, since it give more purchasing power to foreigners? It seems to that foreigners dont want to pay their fair share.

I have no problem with "tourist perks" like a JR pass, which isn't that cheap anymore, and certain tax-free shopping.

Dual pricing happens everywhere else in Asia. Plus, let's be honest here - most foreigners have more money than Japanese customers.

When I was holidaying in Japan I saw many people driving imported European cars, carrying luxury designer hands bags, living in big mansions. Owning things that I cannot afford. Those Japanese customers are highly likely to have more money than me!

But some businesses and entities have argued that the dual-price system is not meant to "rip off" visitors but done out of "urgent necessity," citing rising labor and other costs as tourists numbers swell

But, it is ripping off tourists. The funny thing is, the majority of tourists are Japanese. How are they going to regulate it? What about the one million foreign residents in Japan? Will they have to pay too? One price! Not two!

There is a difference between public sightseeing spots and privately owned restaurants and hotels. In the Japanese city where I am living, you get a 'senior card' if you are 65+ year old from the local ward office where your address is registered - foreigner or Japanese does not matter - and you can visit presenting this card some sightseeing spots, museums, exhibitions, swimmingpools etc. for free or to a reduced price. Also the public city bus can be used paying the half fare.

About dual pricing in restaurants and hotels, I am not aware of even one restaurant or hotel in my area which is thinking about that, they all are using membership registration. You are a frequent visitor and have a membership card spending a certain amount each month, you pay 10 percent less - you are coming just one time you pay the full price, regardless if you are a foreigner or Japanese. Also many restauants offer the choice of small plates and big plates. I think membership is maybe the best solution.

To identify who is a foreigner and who is not is not easy, there are Japanese living in Singapore and there are Koreans living in Japan, how do you know who is who?

And what is next? Pay more or less if you visit a cinema or going shopping in a supermarket just because of your looks?

Complain about no tourists when COVID hit, complain when everyone comes back, but NEVER miss an opportunity to take more MONEY, never.

I am an EU citizen but right now living in the UK, I have never seen any evidence of dual pricing either in shops, cafes, restaurants......etc.....May be next time I go to my local super market, there will be a big sign over the door, Foreigners £5 to enter, and all the prices will have dual prices on them.........Oh, and one will be charged an extra 10% when paying at the till........Unless you can convince them you are British, I am not sure how that will work on an automatic till though with no server.

Makoto Shimizu

It is very sad to hear that there are greedy business owners who want to exploit tourists, they will create a very bad image of Japan that has a reputation of honesty, especially regarding money.

I wholeheartedly agree, Shimizu-san. I wish we had more comments from obviously respectable people like you instead of remarks like this …

”These businesses are only talking maybe a 10-20% surcharge.” —@Fighto!

Is it not funny that foreigners are not making a fairness argument about the JR Pass and Duty free shopping? Is not the JR Pass an example of dual pricing, since Japanese can not buy it ?

We foreigners in Japan ALSO can't buy it. AND YES- we did complain about it.

Is not duty free shopping an example of dual pricing, since Japanese cant shop duty free?

No it is not because Duty Free shopping is available for ALL people when they travel abroad. Japanese can get duty free pricing outside of Japan so NOT the same thing- UNLESS you support ALL Japanese having to pay more EVERYWHERE they go- like when they go to Hawaii. They should pay more in every bar, restaurant and every other attraction. You ok with that?

Indeed, is not the weak Yen another example of dual pricing, since it give more purchasing power to foreigners?

No. And if you think that, it is obvious you have NEVER studied business or economics in college.

It seems to that foreigners dont want to pay their fair share.

It seems that Japanese just want to screw people over.

One time I visited a noodle restaurant in Tokyo I showed them my passport and I got a free boiled egg. Looks things have changed now!

Last time I visited Osaka the cheap beef bowl restaurant near the hotel has a ticket vending machine that can display Japanese, Chinese and English.

That would be ok for US Japanese. BTW, you know Japan is the largest foreigner investor in the US and many other western countries?

Invester in what?

I wonder if Thailand can make the same claim? And of course, you would not mind if no more visa travel for western countries?

I have NO PROBLEM WITH IT.

The only people who were complaining about the closed borders were foreigners.

we complaining about the fact that the Japanese could travel to foreign countries. IF the borders had been closed BOTH WAYS to Japanese we would have had no issues.

The Japanese People were happy with the borders close

Good! Then you support ending visa free travel for BOTH Japanese and the west. We agree.

A "dual system" because Corporate Japan and their Political buddies do not want to increase domestic wages. What cracks me up is people complaining that foreigners are causing the problem when they should be pointing their anger towards the Government... which has been screwing them since the bubble collapsed.

gaijintraveller

Today 09:33 am JST

Is Japan seen as a high-end destination? I think it is now seen as a budget destination. Japan has had comparatively little inflation over the past 50 or so years, and 50 years ago there were no capsule hotels.

> It would be interesting to the totals of nights spent by foreign tourists in capsules and spent in hotels.

> Japan has become affordable. That is why it is popular.

Capsule hotel?

Not sure what you are going on about, but those were created because of high prices and we're for Japanese businessmen during the bubble, so much for the low inflammation 50 years ago,

Japan is racist, a third world country blah, blah, blah

If you hate it so much go live elsewhere or don't come here

In Spain their having demonstrations against tourists, duel pricing is common around the world

Yet, Japan and Japan only is racist, third world etc

Why because these businesses are already making more money than they were before the tourists.

The restaurant owner himself said only 80% of his business are locals so he is now making 20% more than he would without tourists.

That easily offsets any possible extra costs.

Without tourists he brings in 20% less revenue.

The costs of doing business are going up, so the business owner is looking for ways to alleviate that problem without burdening his loyal/local customers. Sounds fine to me.

Boodends

Today 09:43 am JST

Is it not funny that foreigners are not making a fairness argument about the JR Pass

You need to update your argument.

No one is buying the JR pass anymore, sales down around 80% because it doubled in price near impossible to use is and make is worthwhile unless you like rocketing around spending a day in each place.

JR pass is a great example of trying to profit on tourism without thinking if people in other countries are stupid enough to fall for it.

Again my business has a lot of tourists, a large portion complained about the JR price hike and no one has bothered buying it since.

I hope those businesses go bankrupt and owners not be able to make more business. Greedy mother....

charged foreign tourists 7,678 yen for an all-you-can-eat... while locals pay 1,100... Because we need new staff who can speak English...

Wow! Such greed knows no bounds. So are the new, bilingual staff getting paid the extra 6,000 yen on that price, or are they getting the regular 900 something an hour?

How is that even legal?

お　も　て　な　し　。。。

Exactly. That's been my main point : Japanese cannot afford price hikes on restaurants, entertainment, bars etc. Foreigners can - and will largely be prepared to wear the extra costs.

No need for overreaction here - these businesses are only talking maybe a 10-20% surcharge.

They would be able to afford it if Japan allowed for more substantial wage increases over time. In my industry for example, wages have not risen in some three decades. This is unfortunately a result of both the work culture and hierarchical subservience. There is no pressure on corporate leaders or politicians to do anything because Japanese people basically don't engage in social activism or advocate for their own interests. Generally too scared to "punch up", but will never miss an opportunity to "punch down" on the ol' gaijin. Sad, really.

Very third world.

Whenever we go to a mom & pop cafe to have a 10 min. dessert and leave and the waiter tells us 2 cakes and 1 coffee is not acceptable and we have to order at least 1 of their overpriced drinks per person is more than enough to unmark the place from my google maps and never go back.

A lot of " is this legal" well in Japan apparently it is!

Is it legal in other developed countries?

Well, NO! Not in most cases, the members of the EU, it is illegal, Canada illegal, the USA illegal.

Remember after 9/11 the little " freedom fries" thing?

Well some hotels and businesses decided to charge French tourists higher prices.

And as one would expect, it was found to be illegal based on the civil rights laws

Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on a person's national origin, race, color, religion, disability, sex, and familial status.

So seems Japan hasn't lived up to its first world status.

carpslidy

Today 10:06 am JST

duel pricing is common around the world

Ok give us legal examples in non third world countries!

And in private businesses not tax payer funded facilities.

You made the claim now tell us where!

3RD WORLD COUNTRY

Media should provide a complete list of all those establishments, who are providing dual price system, so we can make a Google Map filter to name and shame them, so everybody stay away from them.

This is so callous and ridiculous on so many levels, and basically is tell me you are racist and discriminatory, without telling me you are racist and discriminatory.

Looks like omotenashi is just another thing that applies to Japanese locals ONLY.

Fighto!

Today 09:39 am JST

Exactly. That's been my main point : Japanese cannot afford price hikes on restaurants, entertainment, bars etc. Foreigners can

Oh Japanese are soooóo poor, false information.

If Japanese are so poor and can't afford it, then why did we just have this article 2 days ago

ANA to ramp up Tokyo-Europe flights to stoke travel demand

July 21

(Japanese) people traveling abroad increased about 30 percent

Now I wonder how those Japanese traveling to Europe would feel if they as non EU citizens were charged 20% more especially with today's low yen.

All the arguments I have read today trying to justify this are all just trying to justify or make excuses for racist/xenophobic behaviour and greed!

Media should provide a complete list of all those establishments, who are providing dual price system, so we can make a Google Map filter to name and shame them, so everybody stay away from them.

This is so callous and ridiculous on so many levels, and basically is tell me you are racist and discriminatory, without telling me you are racist and discriminatory.

Looks like omotenashi is just another thing that applies to Japanese locals ONLY.

Excellent post

Their country, their rules..

I hate this nonsense saying to the core. People who say this should have zero problem with how Taliban and Iran treat women, South Africa's apartheid back in the day, Russia invading Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, etc. After all, their country, their rules. Right? Nonsense!

The argument by the owner saying he has to pay "English speaking staff more" is false unless he has a policy of only hiring Japanese staff.

Go into any 7 eleven, Lawson's, Family Mart, etc...

They have loads of not only bilingual but multi-lingual staff, all speak Japanese fluently, plus most speak English, and Nepalese, Chinese, Uyghur, Persian (Farsi) (Tajik, Uzbek etc..) Tagalog, Hindi, etc...

No extra pay for any of them.

All are either students or on the new no skills visa system.

So if he is so worried about paying more for "English speaking staff" just hire foreign staff, but I suspect he is the type that will not do that for certain reasons which are probably the same reasons he charges more for foreigners.

I hope those businesses go bankrupt and owners not be able to make more business. Greedy mother....

charged foreign tourists 7,678 yen for an all-you-can-eat... while locals pay 1,100... Because we need new staff who can speak English...

Wow! Such greed knows no bounds. So are the new, bilingual staff getting paid the extra 6,000 yen on that price, or are they getting the regular 900 something an hour?

There seems to be a little bit of exaggeration going on here.

In the above example, cited in the article, we are talking about a 16% price differential between local (including foreign residents) and tourists. 16% is likely the average tip in restaurants in North America and other places.

16% is not a huge deal breaker, and if the tourists get extra information and directions in English, Korean or a Chinese language about the food, how to prepare and eat it, and so on, I suspect many would be happy to pay a bit more for this service.

Or, tourists can always go to a place where the language service is not provided, with no surcharge - and probably still have a great time.

How long have we been seeing these types of articles already?

What's so hard? Just make everything one price.

Then if they want, give anyone with a legitimate local ID, an acceptable discount.

Many tourist areas already do this, why is it so difficult?

In a free response section of the survey, respondents called for value-added services if foreign tourists are to be charged more, such as offering services in various languages, guides, enhanced hospitality or special gifts.

So the article already offer a good compromise :

charge a flat price for everyone

offer additional options everybody can request :

------- foreigner language personalized support (so not the menu which should be basic service)

------ cooking on table : you can learn how to cook japanese style / enjoy eating while someone else do the cooking

------- special brand gift : chopstick, towel, stickers, keyholder ... (you can create several set)

------ special japan gift : otaku stuff, city/prefecture character design, sanrio mascot, japan like stuff, ... adjust to your customer

...

I think it will solve most of the issue and gather to everybody. Afterall, there're shop which allow Japanese customer to practice their foreign language so they could also seek the service if it is offered by native or so speakers. Same for everything.

DanteKH

Today 10:22 am JST

Media should provide a complete list of all those establishments, who are providing dual price system, so we can make a Google Map filter to name and shame them, so everybody stay away from them.

The MSM today in such cases is mostly irrelevant.

The real damage will come when the Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, etc... travelers start posting about these places.

These are the places where the present travelers, get their information.

Like with the Fuji/Lawsons place became a go to place because of social media, so will the negative views of Japan and these over charging places will spread.

If TikTok can make a boring place to see Fuji-san into a over crowded destination, imagine the damage a load of negative posts can do to Japan!

As we all know, negative stuff spreads far faster and wider on social media than positive stuff!

yokoso but not yokoso unless you dont pay more.

not nice move.

Fighto!

Today 10:44 am JST

Or, tourists can always go to a place where the language service is not provided, with no surcharge - and probably still have a great time.

Now tell us why he needs to pay more for English speaking staff?

Funny, don't see all the conbini charging more fir foreigners or paying more for all their foreign staff all of whom speak multiple languages!

And I was just in a Maratan (Chinese style spicy noodles) restaurant yesterday.

Interesting, the menu was all on a tablet, trilingual, not one of the servers spoke English or Japanese, it was packed with Japanese, Caucasians, and of course Chinese.

No one had any problems.

In a buffet where there is only one choice on the menu what extra cost are there?

This is all an excuse to charge more and to try and justify discrimination.

With this, Japan is finally embracing its embarassing slide back into emerging economy status.

The MSM today in such cases is mostly irrelevant.

The real damage will come when the Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, etc... travelers start posting about these places.

These are the places where the present travelers, get their information.

Like with the Fuji/Lawsons place became a go to place because of social media, so will the negative views of Japan and these over charging places will spread.

If TikTok can make a boring place to see Fuji-san into a over crowded destination, imagine the damage a load of negative posts can do to Japan!

As we all know, negative stuff spreads far faster and wider on social media than positive stuff!

THIS!! Well said brother! Anyone who sends me info on places with 2 tier pricing I am putting that info out on my Facebook account. USed to have Instagram and Twitter but deleted them...

Still, I will post on my Facebook any places that do that. Name and shame.

Fighto,

I think you need to redo that math. That 6,578 is not a 16% price increase but a whole 598% increase.

shogun36

Today 10:48 am JST

Then if they want, give anyone with a legitimate local ID, an acceptable discount.

> Many tourist areas already do this, why is it so difficult?

Again I ask!

Give examples of private businesses that do this legally in other developed countries?!

The

Many tourist areas already do this

Those trying to justify this Always site public facilities supported by local tax payers, which has been the case for many many years ( example the city owned museum in my place of birth charges less for residents because their taxes support the museum all other including citizens of the country thar don't pay taxes to the city pay a higher price)

But no one has yet provided a single example of a non publicly owned facility in a developed country that legally charges tourists more.

Still waiting!

The restaurants and hotels will not employ foreign-speaking staff with or without dual pricing.

Other foreign tourist destinations that differentiate between locals and visitors include the Diamond Head state park in Hawaii, where state residents can enter for free while foreign tourists and those from other U.S. states are charged. The move created little outcry.

It is completely different. Foreign tourists and those from other U.S. states. Not only foreign tourists! If the Japanese attractions charges all tourists overseas and interstates the same price but offer discounts for locals, elderly, students, I think many foreigners would be fine with that.

Plainly and simply: Discriminatory. Racist. Unfair. Even the 1 tourist interviewed, from Sweden, acknowledges this. "Special English assistance"? Am I handicapped? Google translate, thank you. AI translation thank you. I would definitely walk out of any place that tries to apply dual pricing. IG-FB-Google review shame them too.

Anyone comparing tourist tax or publicly funded (from city or state taxes) parks/ attractions to this dual pricing has no clue what they are talking about. I live in Thailand and have never seen dual pricing in restaurants, hotels, etc. Yes in publicly funded state parks/ temples/ museums. For the rest, if you go "local" you pay local price. If you go air con+ fancy luxury stylish, you will pay "hi so" price... which Thais will also pay.

What hypocrisy and lack of learning these countries show when crying 3-4 years ago "the economy is suffering from lack of tourists" from COVID and now "we are suffering from too many tourists so we need to charge them more".

Respect your customers.

Unless you're fine going Kabukicho style making your business out of tricking a different customer everyday.

I can understand Underdeveloped and Developing Nations charging more for tourists to visit various attractions but for a country like Japan to do such is very offensive. Crikey even the "No Foreigners/Japanese Only" signs which litter Japan establishments are quite "On The Nose" these days considering the quality of language translation apps. There is not excuse for that anymore. Maybe the nation needs to have a discussion about the overt racism that exists in Japan and decide whether that's what they want going forward and if so then ban tourists but please don't invite tourists to your country and then hurt them by treating them unfairly compared to the local population. I have visited Japan a number of times over the years, always tried to respect the customs, even researched them before travelling just because I know from experience that Locals anywhere tend not to make allowances for "ignorant foreigners" and to treat us with disdain for even the slightest infraction.

There was an article the other day on Barcelona raising a tourist tax, and no one batted an eye.

I looked up that article and saw a comment that had a very good point.

"In the case of stopover cruise passengers (less than 12 hours) there is intensive use of public space without any benefit for the city and a feeling of occupation and saturation. We want to have tourism that is respectful of the destination."

He said tourists, not local tax payers, should pay for local projects like air-conditioning schools

.The mayor Himeji was called a racist and Japan a 3rd world bigoted country by many posters on this site for expressing very similar ideas

wallace

Today 11:12 am JST

The restaurants and hotels will not employ foreign-speaking staff with or without dual pricing.

I respectfully ask, why not?

If most of the conbini in Tokyo I go into can do it (all these multi-lingual staff are non Japanese) then why can't the rest?

@Furby

A first-world country with dual pricing, how embarrassing

First world countries don't have dual pricing. Now you tell me what kind of country Japan is today.

@Sum

There was an article the other day on Barcelona raising a tourist tax, and no one batted an eye.

That cruise tax is applied to all cruisers, Spanish citizens or not.

How will businesses know if they are tourists or foreign residents?

This is Japan reinstated the previous prejudice policies that existed in the 90s and the early 2000s. That means Asians will be less discriminated than other foreigners, and the businesses can apply higher prices at will.

This hurts foreign residents!

All this until the yen goes up. And then what? And cost of printing menus, employing/training foreign staff, etc etc all go go to the dogs when the tourist boom ends.

I have never been in a conbini with foreign staff. Japanese only. Must be what happens in Tokyo, maybe Osaka.

Why would hotels and restaurants employ foreign-speaking staff? Most of the customers are Japanese. If a Japanese speaks English they could find better employment. Most of the tourists are non-English speaking.

I have never been in a conbini with foreign staff. Japanese only. Must be what happens in Tokyo, maybe Osaka.

You just couldn't recognize the foreign staff because they were speaking Japanese.

Just a thought, I'm pretty fluent in Japanese. If I leave Japan, and come back as a tourist, and enter a restaurant. Speak 100% fluent native level Japanese, polite and observing manners, what price do I pay.

The tourist price? I'm not making use of any of the English/translated related expenses, so why am I paying more to get the same product?

--

I understand some of these establishments probably have some nightmare situations from time to time and I do have sympathy for it, but that's the hospitality industry, you're gonna get a problematic customer from time to time, but we can't assume because one Korean, or one Chinese citizen was rude that all of their respective nations are. The other day I was carrying some rubbish into a convenience store to dispose of it, my hands were full and in front of me a Japanese person opened the door and let it slam in my face without a thought. That's pretty normal here, in my own country 9 times out of 10 someone would hold the door open, hands full or not. Does that mean I now think she was rude, or that all Japanese people are rude, no. Holding doors open here is not a customary thing to do, you just have to adapt and understand.

The point I am referring to, is that I think quite a few Japanese people in the service and hospitality industry positively freak out when dealing with someone who can't speak Japanese, because they are just not used to it. But it's all in the manner of how to deal with people in general, be calm, and rely on other cues, pointing, smiles and other facial expressions, gestures and accept that sometimes doing this is not rude, it's a means of communication. But I think some people here are quick to see that as rude, but it's really not.

Sure a few basic words of Japanese would be a good thing, arigatou gozaimasu, onegaishimasu and this kind of thing, but it's unfair to think a tourist who may only ever come to Japan once in their life for 2 weeks is going to become travel proficient in Japanese. I wouldn't expect a Japanese person to be English proficient for their holiday in the UK. In fact I have direct experience of that as I was visiting family last year and coincidentally met a family from Aichi being taken on a tour. They couldn't speak a word of English according to the tour guide, but I spoke with the family and said I lived in Mie, and was able to relay to their guide they were really enjoying the trip, and he said, oh that's good to know but I thought that was the case because they always seemed happy and grateful. He was looking for gestures, facial expressions, non verbal cues - that's what we have to do in the service industry. How do they deal with a Japanese person who can't speak for a host of reasons, charge them more because they have to provide braille, or spend more time understanding their speech which is impaired due a stroke or something else?

if we keep othering in life, it leads to dark places.

zibala

I have never been in a conbini with foreign staff. Japanese only. Must be what happens in Tokyo, maybe Osaka.

You just couldn't recognize the foreign staff because they were speaking Japanese.

So the foreign staff were speaking Japanese and looked Japanese. How do they do that?

@NotThe One

How will businesses know if they are tourists or foreign residents?

Japanese can tell non-Japanese apart just by looking.

@Saki Endo

Just a thought, I'm pretty fluent in Japanese. If I leave Japan, and come back as a tourist, and enter a restaurant. Speak 100% fluent native level Japanese, polite and observing manners, what price do I pay.

It depends on your external appearance.

1) If you are Japanese citizen of foreign descent, they will ask you to pay a foreigner's price until you show your Japanese ID then they would charge you a local's price.

2) If you are foreign citizen of Japanese descent(ie Japanese Brazilian or Japanese American) speaking fluent Japanese, you will be charged a local's price without asking.

3) If you don't speak Japanese fluently, they automatically assume you to be a foreigner and charge a foreigner's price.

@tora

All this until the yen goes up. And then what? 

Yen will never go up. It's all downhill from now on.

Just a thought, I'm pretty fluent in Japanese. If I leave Japan, and come back as a tourist, and enter a restaurant. Speak 100% fluent native level Japanese, polite and observing manners, what price do I pay.

The tourist price? I'm not making use of any of the English/translated related expenses, so why am I paying more to get the same product?

I enter a restaurant as a local resident with a native Japanese who is fluent in English. They do all the ordering in Japanese.

What if it is a group but most are foreign and the Japanese do all the ordering? What if it is group and the majority are Japanese and do all the ordering?

What price I pay?

Japan should be embarrassed!

Just one question for the people supporting this:

How hard is to make a bi-lingual menu? I mean a lot of establishments are already making QR Code type of ordering or using tablets to do so. And yes, on most you can select English, Korean and Chinese language.

So what's the excuse again, if not ripping off non Japanese looking customers?

tora

Today 11:28 am JST

All this until the yen goes up. And then what? And cost of printing menus, employing/training foreign staff, etc etc all go go to the dogs when the tourist boom ends

Printing menus?

What decade are you living in?

Today most place especially where tourists go, everything is on tablets, auto translate, multi langage, etc...

Most POS (point of sales) system offer these services and any business that is not a mom and pop local dive that takes cash only are all now using these POS.

The one I use has options for medical facilities appointments booking, hair salon, restaurants including creating menus in one language and auto translate into dozens of others, reservations, etc...

A local Ramen/Izakaya has just 3 tablets, everyone just passes them around and he can change items as he pleases anytime.

We laugh because going into language option, there are 37 different languages.

Ok the auto translate is sometimes hilarious, but you get the point of what the menu item is.

In any case just print in proper legible Japanese and people use Google scan and translate on their phones.

@NotThe One

What price I pay?

Different pricing is for businesses where prices are charged per head; ie buffet restaurants, tourist destinations, train tickets, etc.

1 million restaurants. 90,000 hotels. How many will employ foreign-speaking staff?

Garthgoyle -

Fighto,

I think you need to redo that math. That 6,578 is not a 16% price increase but a whole 598% increase.

598% increase? Where on earth does that come from?! There is no need to massively exaggerate to make an argument - both sides have merit.

Read the article above, please.

It is a 16.7% price differential.

Samit wrote:

It depends on your external appearance.

1) If you are Japanese citizen of foreign descent, they will ask you to pay a foreigner's price until you show your Japanese ID then they would charge you a local's price.

2) If you are foreign citizen of Japanese descent(ie Japanese Brazilian or Japanese American) speaking fluent Japanese, you will be charged a local's price without asking.

3) If you don't speak Japanese fluently, they automatically assume you to be a foreigner and charge a foreigner's price.

How do you know this again? I have seen the Japanese police call pure Japanese ancestral heritage people born abroad, gaijin.

So, how do you know this discriminatory policy will be applied "fairly," again?

Someone’s gunna have to train staff to explain the double standards and different prices for the tourists. Note: There’s an opportunity for some Eikawa school operator who knows his/her days are numbered! Staff language and etiquette training courses.

week 1) How to spot and separate the resident foreign national from the target one. Possible scenarios.

Week 2) Explainimg your position and reason for the higher charge due to your nationality and visa status.

Week 3) conflict resolution with a smile. How not to budge an inch. Police hotline explained.

week 4) use your imagination, work it well and you could sell it as a ten week staff training course, easy!

irrasshyaaai! Welcome… um, excuse me, so sorry, where are you from?

Wait till shops realize how bothersome the idea really is when put into practice and many may just drop it. The path of least resistance is always a big pull here. Those that decided to put the signs up for high pricing will be doing so as a deliberate marketing ploy to

a) keep tourists out

and

b) tap into the frustrations and business of hungry local diners and potential new J customers.

Let the fun begin! Let the market decide. This will be the story that keeps on giving. Remember, everyone is created equal, it’s just that some are more equal than others!

Bots are starting to appear in restaurants and hotels.

As several users pointed out, local discounts and tourist taxes are a thing in other countries, and yet when Japan considers it, people scream racism and third world country. The hypocrisy on this forum is astounding.

I heard from my colleagues that such dual pricing is seen in Thailand's temples...at last Japan has become such a country.

Japan's future is doomed; another harbinger for where this once great country is headed. I may as well pack my bags and move to Thailand.

Mark

As several users pointed out, local discounts and tourist taxes are a thing in other countries, and yet when Japan considers it, people scream racism and third world country. The hypocrisy on this forum is astounding.

Which 1st World countries can you name?

I support the dual system to shield local residents from the effects of having a depressed yen and tourists leveraging more spending power, creating inflation for the locals

Sum

Today 07:09 am JST

There was an article the other day on Barcelona raising a tourist tax, and no one batted an eye

Actually plenty of batted eyes had you read the article!

But again, you are confusing a government and a private business.

If you had read the article, you would know it applies to all tourists from cruise ships and that includes Spanish citizens that are not tax paying residents of the city.

This is to pay for publicly facilities something locals pay with their taxes.

Again another person confusing charges by local governments to help pay for tax payer funded facilities and a private business trying to just get extra money from tourists because they can.

A local resident does not pay the business if they do not use their facilities, they only pay if they go to the business.

But the public restrooms, museums, etc..are subsides or paid for through taxes and non locals don't pay taxes, so in many places local governments charge a fee for non residents (non non citizens).

But a private business has no reason to claim it needs to charge more.

The "English speaking staff cost more" is fake, ask 7 eleven, Lawson's etc....

"Need to provide foreign language menus," again fake, everything is available online including auto translate a single tablet at ¥ 10,000 will do the job.

I have been to Indian restaurants in Tokyo not one staff spoke comprehendible Japanese if at all. But no problem, packed with Japanese customers all ordering from tablets with multi langage options.

@Samit Basu

It depends on your external appearance.

Isn't that a depressing thought.

As I say, othering only leads to dark places.

Mark

Today 11:56 am JST

As several users pointed out, local discounts and tourist taxes are a thing in other countries, and yet when Japan considers it, people scream racism and third world country. The hypocrisy on this forum is astounding.

I will ask again!

What countries and what private businesses?

Don't come back with tax supported government facilities and venues.

It is illegal in the EU, the USA and Canada etc.. for a private business to discriminate against people based on nationality that includes charging them more.

So if you claim people are doing it in other developed countries please give examples.

Yonemitsu said the restaurant has had to hike wages to hire English-speaking staff and also faces costs training them to serve foreign customers.

Interesting that in the previous article they quoted him as saying " foreigners have more money than Japanese"

And that is the real reason.

He thinks because they have more money he should get more from them

All the rest is just trying to cover up his original statement.

And a typical developing country type excuse, " they have more money"!

In France, it is a scam if you try to make pay higher if rule for prices is not strictly showed at the entrance of restaurant, shop, etc.

I can't imagine Japanese bringing their passport to get reduced price.

But I can imagine them, as some commenters wrote, bring them the senior or membership local card. This as always existed.

I speak Japanese enough and can't imagine a business risking to tell me I am foreigner (I look Caucasian but nowadays how to know ?)

Fix your economy, why is this place struggling so hard?

Examples given of developed countries charging more for tourists

Diamond Head state park in Hawaii, where state residents can enter for free while foreign tourists and those from other U.S. states are charged. The move created little outcry.

( Barcelona) tourist tax for stopover cruise passengers was 7 euros ($7.61) per day.

The Louvre all visitors under the age of 18 and 18-25 year-old residents of the European Economic Area (EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) holders of a valid 'Pass Education' card.

Etc ..

All tax funded government facilities charging non resident/tax payers for publicly facilities use.

Example of private businesses charging dual fees/prices

Thailand: I heard from my colleagues that such dual pricing is seen in Thailand's temples.

Notice the difference?

Developed countries government charges because local facilities are supported by the local tax payers.

Underdeveloped counties charge more because they are underdeveloped and have no money.

Which one does Japan want to be?

Jonathan Prin

Today 12:22 pm JST

In France, it is a scam if you try to make pay higher if rule for prices is not strictly showed at the entrance of restaurant, shop, etc.

Yes but if the business (private) puts a sign or makes it very clear non citizens or non locals pay more, that would be an illegal practice.

Like with most developed countries, in France it is illegal to discriminate based on ethnicity, race, skin colour, religion and nationality.

So regardless if it is clearly posted, charging more in a private business to tourists is illegal in France (all of EU )

One true thing special to Japan for small restaurants : Japanese eat fast and don't chat long. Hence the profit per minute expected from a restaurant owner.

Tourists would spend about the same, a tad more probably but would stay twice as long.

Obvious to watch.

I propose such restaurants to make special menus or dishes to charm them, with a higher price. Tourists love treats.

There needs to be an app that shows places that charge tourists more and avoid.

Jonathan Prin

Today 12:38 pm JST

One true thing special to Japan for small restaurants : Japanese eat fast and don't chat long. Hence the profit per minute expected from a restaurant owner.

Where do you get this?

Go to any family restaurant and watch the gangs of housewives sit around for several hours!

Izakayas, etc...

Tourists would spend about the same, a tad more probably but would stay twice as long.

The buffet is time limited so moot point!

Obvious to watch.

Only if you close your eyes to not see!

Busy restaurant and we have students, with drink bar, sitting studying for hours.

Business people, with laptops open, working (telework), etc...

The eat and leave thing only applies to counter Ramen, teishoku lunch time, etc...

The local Teishoku joint near my place after main lunch rush and dinner rush is full of older locals all gossiping from one table to the next saying hi as others Walk in sit at different tables and talk back and forth to the people they know at different tables.

I propose such restaurants to make special menus or dishes to charm them, with a higher price. Tourists love treats

This sickens me.

Japan was desperate for tourists to return. Now they have, not because of the weakened Yen but because there is a global interest in the country.

Getting to Japan is not a good deal, whilst prices to Europe are back to pre pandemic levels getting to Japan still costs typically more than two times what it did before the pandemic.

The arguments for this are false. The reality is greed and racism.

I visit Japan twice a year on average and will not set foot in anywhere that has a two tier system.

There is no justification why tourists should be charged higher prices. It will cause its own set of problems that could see a decrease in tourist numbers.

Fighto,

I'm not trying to exaggerate things for the sake of an argument.

A 16% of 1,100 is 176 yen.

16% of 7,678 is 1,228 yen.

The price difference between 1,100 and 7,678 yen is 6,578.

6,578円 price tag on top of that 1,100円, is a 598% increase. Six times 1,100.

Remember, they're not giving a discount to locals. They're overcharging tourists in the name of "we need to hire people who can speak English." They're also using the excuse that they "need to explain the concept of the restaurant" to new customers. But tourists or not, they still have to explain the same thing to people who have never been there.

Fighto,

Ohhhhh, I see. For 1,100 less (than tourists).

Nevermind, I let myself out the door.

Designer 02

Today 12:48 pm JST

getting to Japan still costs typically more than two times what it did before the pandemic.

Yeah I noticed that, had to return to Canada for my father's funeral.

Last time I was there in 2019, the flight was $ 850 CND this included 2 checked bags no fee for reserving our seats, one carry-on.

This time including bereavement discount it cost just over $1,200 CND and without the bereavement discount that would require paying for seat selection, a second checked bag, and other charges, so realistically $1,500 CND.

Nearly all the tourists I meet planned their trips long before the yen dropped.

Traveling to Japan isn't something done on a whim, it isn't like deciding to visit Paris from London.

The low yen is a bonus, but I don't see it as the deciding factor.

Before the yen dropped, Japan was on the top post pandemic places people in the EU and USA wanted to visit once travel returned to normal.

Garthgoyle -

Fighto,

Ohhhhh, I see. For 1,100 less (than tourists).

Nevermind, I let myself out the door.

Ha ha, I was waiting for you to pick that up!

On the surface, I get why some people would be shocked or even angry by such a surcharge. But as long as it is fully transparent before entering, and tourists have the option to take their business elsewhere - with no extra charge and no extra language service - I can't see a huge issue.

It sounds like the all-you-can-eat/Viking restaurant in the story with the tourist surcharge is doing well so far.

How are they gonna tell the difference?

Fighto!

Today 01:46 pm JST

Garthgoyle -

> Fighto,

It sounds like the all-you-can-eat/Viking restaurant in the story with the tourist surcharge is doing well so far

But has it gone to far?

I have asked and asked for a single example of this or similar in any developed country and not one person can give one!

I have pointed out that nearly all developed countries this sort of thing is illegal (all EU member counties, USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, etc.. maybe there is one but I haven't found it).

Charging for taxpayer funded facilities to non tax payers is a thing and the logic behind this is sound and no different than I pay less for medical treatment because I live in Japan and pay national health care fees and non residents don't.

But I am still waiting to hear about all these places that also charge different prices for tourists (legally) in other developed countries!

The Japanese always care what people think and want others to look at them positively, well, this won't help, it will just do the opposite, bad, bad move.

Have you considered that

Japan is am Asian country and that it's common in Asia to have duel pricing

That aEU and US restaurants don't offer menus, service in multiple languages

That maybe the US, EU way of doing things may not be the right way

If you prefer the US method maybe you should live/travel there instead

No issue for entry to attractions that local are taxed to miami gain, but restaurants and hotels can easily get by with printed english instructions.

carpslidy

Today 02:15 pm JST

Have you considered that

> Japan is am Asian country and that it's common in Asia to have duel pricing

> That aEU and US restaurants don't offer menus, service in multiple languages

> That maybe the US, EU way of doing things may not be the right way

> If you prefer the US method maybe you should live/travel there instead

Been to South Korea many times another developed Asian country, never seen this sort of thing a I doubt it would be even legal! ( I am guessing on the legallity in SK).

It isn't "common in Asian countries" it is common in underdeveloped counties nothing to do with being Asian!

EU do offer servicescin multiple languages far more than any other place, the USA no famous for that but I am guessing you have never been to Europe to have made that claim.

In France, Italy, Germany Spain, Poland and plenty more I have been served in French (outside France) English, Friends served in everything from English to Spanish in non English and non Spanish speaking countries.

In South Korea I got served in English and in Japanese and no one said I had to pay more!

And again I will repeat this.

Today menus are available on tablets in multiple languages and anyone with a smartphone can use Google translate to read any paper menu.

In many Chinese restaurants now in Japan (also Taiwan and China) no paper menu only a QR code, you scan the code with your own phone it brings you to the menu, you select the language, enter your table number and order.

This whole false information and trying to justify charging more is just a coverup for price gouging!

Antiquesavings,

I have asked and asked for a single example of this or similar in any developed country and not one person can give one!

When I was working for Disney in Florida, they had an entrance price for Florida residents and a different one for non residents.

In this case, tho, the difference was a discount for locals and not a price increase for non residents. Something they could do in here for example in Niseko.

carpslidyToday 02:15 pm JST

Might as well say if you prefer less Xenophobia, travel to the US instead.

But some businesses and entities have argued that the dual-price system is not meant to "rip off" visitors but done out of "urgent necessity," citing rising labor and other costs as tourists numbers swell.

This literally makes no sense: if the price of labor goes up, so should the menu items. For everybody.

So, what happens if tourists are with Japanese nationals or foreigners living in Japan, what would the charges be? That would be a little awkward. Lol.

They need to increase prices for tourists. There are way too many tourists now. Imagine going to your local shopping mall and literally everyone is speaking a different language and buying everything up and saying how cheap it is. Add in the fact almost every restaurant that’s good in Tokyo or Osaka has a huge line.

Back when I lived in Japan, there would

be maybe 20% tourists in a store. Now every store has like 60% tourists. I forgot to mention most tourists are Chinese. My girlfriend who speaks mandarin felt like she was back in Chinatown in the US because everyone was speaking mandarin.

if you want to keep the Japanese culture of clean, calm, and friendly… you gotta give the workers more money. Every place has too many people and not enough workers.

As of October 2023, Japan had more than 2 million foreign workers, of whom about 32,000, or 1.6%, were working for the hotel industry, according to the labor ministry.

Not front-of-house positions.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/In-Indonesia-and-India-labor-starved-Japanese-hotels-scout-talent#:~:text=As%20of%20October%202023%2C%20Japan,according%20to%20the%20labor%20ministry.

Bib

No issue for entry to attractions that local are taxed to miami gain, but restaurants and hotels can easily get by with printed english instructions.

The majority of the tourists are not English-speaking. Chinese and South Korean.

Things going viral and too many people generally makes things worse. Just like when the Mt. Fuji Lawson went viral and too many people were gathering there to take photos. It was disrupting the residents and businesses with tons of people circling their homes and businesses. Understandable. It was good that the local government stepped in and blocked all the people gathering there.

Tourists by country

Japan-bound Statistics

https://www.tourism.jp/en/tourism-database/stats/inbound/

Garthgoyle

Today 02:41 pm JST

Antiquesavings,

> I have asked and asked for a single example of this or similar in any developed country and not one person can give one!

> When I was working for Disney in Florida, they had an entrance price for Florida residents and a different one for non residents

This is true, but again, background is important.

Disney only offers this on packages of multiple days and only in Florida not California or Europe.

This was long ago added based on certain factors including state tax discounts, land Disney uses that is part of the state park system.

It isn't really out of the goodness of their heart.

It is basically an acknowledgement of given to Disney for preferential treatment by the state of Florida.

Basically a backroom deal to keep taxes low and keep the use of state land.

If the state, local governments, national government is using tax money or providing tax breaks, then again this falls under tax pronsord discount.

The Louvre deal doesn't apply only to the French it doesn't apply to those over 25 not even the tax paying French citizens.

It is a separate deal made with the EU where the an EU program for youth pays the Louvre to offer free entry for all EU member youth under 25.

Florida Disney world is no difference, the state of Florida gives Disney certain privileges and preferential treatment and is give Florida residents a discount (note that this discount is not always available! Basically there are blackout days which basically cover all holidays, weekends during high season and many more, so it is a "under certain conditions" discount.

But at least you did provide a fairly good example.

James M

Today 02:59 pm JST

They need to increase prices for tourists. There are way too many tourists now. Imagine going to your local shopping mall and literally everyone is speaking a different language and buying everything up and saying how cheap it is.

Have you ever seen this?

No, right? Just a xenophobic fear from someone's imagination.

And what is so frightening if people are speaking different languages?

Add in the fact almost every restaurant that’s good in Tokyo or Osaka has a huge line.

Nope! Not a thing!

Most places with long lines are mediocre at best and have long lineups only because it was on TV or social media.

And this has been going on long before tourists came to Japan in large numbers. Every time something is post on a popular TV show or buy some popular people on Instagram or Twitter, etc... Suddenly they're a long lines and until recently it was all long lines of Japanese.

Back when I lived in Japan, there would

> be maybe 20% tourists in a store. Now every store has like 60% tourists. I forgot to mention most tourists are Chinese. My girlfriend who speaks mandarin felt like she was back in Chinatown in the US because everyone was speaking mandarin.

Wallace posted the link to the stats number one are Korean Chinese and Taiwan together are more but add in the others including over 200,000 from the USA and no most are not Chinese unless you making is o point to search these places out

if you want to keep the Japanese culture of clean, calm, and friendly… you gotta give the workers more money. Every place has too many people and not enough workers

And then all prices increase because workers at the conbini will leave to better higher pay, so conbinis, Supermarkets, etc.. will need to pay higher wages to retain workers so the prices will go up and supermarkets are not tourists places in general.

This will also apply to the places you buy your refrigerator, Washing machine etc...and no tourists are not buy those items but if they have to increase salaries to retain workers, well those prices will go up also.

Iive dead center Tokyo tourists zone. Near Ueno, Akihabara, Asakusa, Yanaka, this "run for the hills" " the Chinese are coming" "fear fear fear" " over tourism, they are buying everything" etc .etc..etc... comes from 2 type of people, older Japanese that fear everything foreign mostly out of not knowing or wanting to know, or the foreigner that has been here a long time and think they are special and want to keep others out so they remain special.

Lets face it once more foreigners move in or are around the shine of the local Gaijin fades a bit.

I resided in Japan from 1995-2005, have a Japanese spouse, and visit Japan annually (with the exception of the pandemic years). When I visit Japan (usually for a two-week vacation), on average, I spend at least Y300,000 to Y500,000 for food, excursions, and shopping (hotel and airfare not included). I will visit Japan this September for two weeks and will quietly spend my time carousing in Tokyo. If I experience wide-spread dual-pricing for anything and the proprietors refuse to provide me with a Japanese menu (local prices - Yes, I speak Japanese reasonably well and read some) or I'm gouged a foreigner price at museums or similar, I will refuse to continue my annual visits. Japanese are so stupid sometimes. They go so far out of their way to screw up a good thing. Could you imagine how dire of an economic situation the hotels, restaurants, tourist-dependent shops, etc. would be without all of these tourists visiting because of the favorable exchange rate?

Japanese saying foreigners should pay more really pisses me off. In 1996-7 when the Yen rate conversion at the banks was Y75-90 to $1, no Japanese felt sorry for us foreigners living in Japan (i.e. give us a cheaper price because the currency conversion rate was so pitiful for us lowly foreigners). In fact, Japanese used the situation to their advantage raiding the world going abroad on vacations, staying at luxury resorts, shopping until they dropped. A fine example of Japanese arrogance at that time, and I recommend you read this book, is "The Japan That Can Say No." I don't blame them. In fact, as long as the current Y to $ rate remains advantageous to me, I plan to do the same thing. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, the Japanese shouldn't whine about it and try to screw the foreigners who are graciously choosing to visit Japan, doing exactly what the Japanese did in the past in reverse.

Even my relatives in Japan are complaining about how they can't go abroad now because of the exchange rate which they say, "is caused by their corrupt and/or stupid politicians and the greed of the big corporations." I always reply, "Vote for better politicians, fight more for your individual rights as an employee, evolve by furthering your education well into your adult life, and most importantly, be prepared to walk if you don't like your employment situation." And of course, their reply is always something like, "Shouganai nani mo kawarimasen."

I've only heard of this practice happening in developing countries.

This is a blatant cash grab. Charging a different price to "foreign visitors" will simply translate to charging a different price to foreigners, period.

So once again 90% of commentators here did not even boder to read the article or if they did, they were not able to understand it.

.... sad how so few people are able to read and understand...

So, if a non-resident foreigner goes to one of these hotels, restaurants or retail shops, and can’t find someone to communicate with them in their native language, should they be charged the same price as Japanese?

flash your zairyu card. you have to carry it by law. problem solved

Well.....i'll encourage my friends to go elsewhere in Asia.

Japan, Rome, Spain, all of these tourist spots charge excessively and not really friendly to tourists. i wonder why people love to spend money just to be disgusted by the local people. Weird but it is the truth. Recent year Japan already growing more and more unfriendly toward tourists, anyway it is expected and i know they already reach their patient limit. It is good to take a break, people stop coming here for few years, lets give everyone a break, and we open door again after this

Daniel Neagari

Today 04:09 pm JST

So once again 90% of commentators here did not even boder to read the article or if they did, they were not able to understand it.

> .... sad how so few people are able to read and understand...

OK then you seem to think you understand it, then explain it

So is this business charging more for foreigners, yes or no?

Is the buffet the Same, yes or no?

Does he actually have any extra expenses because of Foreigners to justify it?

Note that his business increases by 20% due to tourists, he has a time limit all you can eat, so no real need for complicated menu, and a simple one page auto translate paper explanation is all that is needed (and yes I have seen this in many places in Japan).

Do other developed countries permit this type of thing in private businesses?

(Just to reiterate, this is illegal in North America and Europe)

As for government tax funded facilities charging more, this is understandable because it cost the city/prefecture etc.. expenses (toilets, maintenance, etc...)

Tourists cost zero to a private business unless they are clients in the facility and in that case like the Japanese they pay for their meals and services.

And lastly, did the restaurant owner in the previous article not say, "tourists have more money so they can pay more to let Japanese have lower prices" ? (If you missed the original article he said exactly that.)

Chabbawanga

Today 04:10 pm JST

So, if a non-resident foreigner goes to one of these hotels, restaurants or retail shops, and can’t find someone to communicate with them in their native language, should they be charged the same price as Japanese?

> flash your zairyu card. you have to carry it by law. problem solved

Really?

Funny but everytime my children get stopped by the police and asked for their Zairyu card and they say they are Japanese citizens and don't have or need one, it is rarely so simple.

They have been told to "carry their passports" it is going to be interesting to see how this situation goes.

"Oh you don't look Japanese, show proof you are Japanese" I see a lawsuit in the future.

I travel to Japan three or four times a year and I would boycott any place that had a separate menu for foreigners with inflated prices.

I've lived in Japan for more than ten years, and I would do the same. Whether I got the local price or not.

@Antiquesaving

Thank you for prooving my point.

So you are basically angry because 1 restarurant in Tokyo has introduced for the only local they have this dual paying system.

That other business are considering and analizing the possiblity to introduce this dual pay system but at the moment has not introduced.

Some perfectures are also considering the dual pay system for entry fees... but again they have not being introduced.

So... again you are mad because of one business of the million of business that are in Japan.

Declaring shock of what "Japan is doing!!" when people analyzing this option are having the same discussion points (dual pay may be unfair; how to introduce in case of mix party; what about expats, etc.)

There is no law nor is even considered.

Yes, many business may be thinking of it but... how many business (or services) have really introduced or announced to introduce the dual pay?

by the way... to anser your questions (not that are relevant)

So is this business charging more for foreigners, yes or no?

yes

Is the buffet the Same, yes or no?

yes

Does he actually have any extra expenses because of Foreigners to justify it?

don't know is not stated in the article and don't care to rearch for it (is not the point)

Do other developed countries permit this type of thing in private businesses?

Yes. The countries in EU, UK, etc. (but this is not part of the article so from were this question comes is a riddle). By the way US and Canada is not ilegal but is up to legal interpretation and conditioning.

Canda: https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/abuse-dominance-enforcement-guidelines

US: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/price_discrimination#:~:text=Price%20discrimination%20is%20not%20illegal,discrimination%20is%20to%20harm%20competitors.

And lastly, did the restaurant owner in the previous article not say, "tourists have more money so they can pay more to let Japanese have lower prices" ? (If you missed the original article he said exactly that.)

....and the question is????

Okay,now I fell terrible to charging the horses of Japanese tourists double when they descended upon my hometown in the U.K in the late Eighties,and selling them certificates to name their own seagull for a fiver each.

Not.

Feel,hordes,no edit function!

Getting handed an Engrish menu with higher prices adjusted for a "trained Engrish staff" to cater towards you is wild.

"Ahogarse en un vaso de agua"..... for the English speakers.. the equivalent should be "making a storm in a tea cup (glass of water)".

Daniel Neagari

Today 05:03 pm JST

Guess you are the one that didn't Read or understand the article

don't know is not stated in the article and don't care to rearch for it (is not the point)

He clearly says it in the article go back and read.

Do other developed countries permit this type of thing in private businesses?

> Yes. The countries in EU, UK, etc. (but this is not part of the article so from were this question comes is a riddle). By the way US and Canada is not ilegal but is up to legal interpretation and conditioning.

Sorry but USA law

It is illegal to discriminate based on religion, gender, ethnicity, race colour and nationality. Same in the UK same I. Canada and all EU.

You need to do a simple google search.

Now your links are irrelevant because you failed at the correct laws that govern the situation.

Consumer laws are not relevant because civil rights laws override !

Civil right laws prohibit charging or treating people differently for the same service based on ( will repeat it) religion, Gender, race, ethnicity, NATIONALITY.

And the fact Japan still doesn't have this simple rule in 2924 is a big deal

We are 1 tiny step back to the bad old days when I got here " no gaijin" for renting, No gaijin in restaurants and hotels .

But you seem fine with that.

I understand that tourist can pay more if a restaurant wants them to do that. I live in a place where there are 5 times more tourist visiting the town than there are locals. And most tourist are looking for an authentic local experience where the locals like to go and eat. But the problem is that most local people dont feel like going to places that are full with tourists. So what is the solution?

At the end of the day, the only win/win solution is to pay residents more.

I'm all for it. The locals might realize that Japan is falling behind other countries and that voting for the LDP makes you poorer.

Based on the majority of comment here, one could come under the impression that it is a wide and common practice in Japan (is not).

Sure is being discussed but is not implemented and people discussing this matter are having the same concerns as the "commentators" in here.

That dual payment is a good or bad practice is another matter... but it is very much a common practice everywhere in the World (and yes it is legal.... under very much scrutiny in some countries but it is).

Daniel Neagari

Today 06:01 pm JST

I think you need to look at those other countries "Human rights laws"

The links you gave to Canada and USA don't say you can't refuse black people or charge them more, or Asians LGBT, etc ...

Do you know why none of that is included in the consumer legislation?

Because it is in the Huma rights law's

Same food but with higher prices for the English. The server’s English is not going to be that much better. Just point to the picture in the menu.

The issue is in the way it's done. It needs a government front and not just each business takes it upon themselves. That's what taxes are for, tax the tourist through some type of fee and redistribute it to the businesses.

It's a great idea.

If you speak Japanese get cheaper food.

It might encourage the lazy gits who live here for years, but never learn the language to get their textbooks out.

Voted down by the lazy gits who forgot where their textbooks are.

this should be or is illegal; i wish i knew which. if businesses can't make money from the extra business, and i guess many of them can't, it is because they are so INEFFIECENT. productivity here is laughable and the cause of many problems like low salaries and a weak yen. punish the visitors, watch them flee, then tell me if that solves your problems.

I’ve seen tourist attractions in the US have a local discount if you show your ID. Sounds like the same thing but executed in a different way.

CanucksfanToday 02:31 am JST

I’ve seen tourist attractions in the US have a local discount if you show your ID. Sounds like the same thing but executed in a different way.

Are all of these restaurants government funded? If so, that is alarming...

CanucksfanToday  02:31 am JST

I’ve seen tourist attractions in the US have a local discount if you show your ID. Sounds like the same thing but executed in a different way.

Really? In my experience I've seen state parks charge locals/state residents less because state and local taxes may go to the funding and upkeep of the park. The same is true for some museums, for the same reason, but typically only on certain days of the month. Have you seen this anywhere else and if so, where exactly?

As a recent visitor to Western Japan we had no problems not being able to speak Japanese besides "Thank you ", etc. Most restaurants have menu's in English so pointing at the items you would like to order was easy. Anything harder like buying pain killers as we didn't want to buy the wrong thing, we found Google translate was very easy to use especially in conversation mode. It was also good fun!

Since our previous holiday in Japan before the pandemic, there is the new tourist tax along with 8% VAT (purchase tax), is that enough extra costs for tourists.

Having visited Venice during the quite winter season, it was annoying to be charged 7.5 Euro's as a tourist compared to a local paying 1 Euro to ride on a water bus, and of course their tourist tax was a lot more than Japans. Because of these extra charges my feelings to Venice were negative and I never recommend Venice to friends and family.

Here in the UK all pay the same and there is no tourist tax!

This is not going to end well

Boycott these places.

Any restaurants foisting higher prices on tourists that I find will soon find a less than praiseworthy comment on several review sites from me.

Many others will do

the same and the lack

of business will soon turn things around…

Regardless of the serious tone in the article, 99.9% of places in Japan are not going to do this. You might as well worry about meteor strikes or the boogieman. When asked, most Japanese people would "be in favour" of a million other things, like shorter work weeks and higher pensions. It doesn't mean any of them are going to happen.

Fwiw, many ski resorts already offer son-min or ken-min discounts for locals. I doubt any of them have a big sign or say it in a loud voice, because it would upset outsiders who do not qualify, but all locals will know about it. Such discounts generally use driving licenses, a health or my number card, or a school techo notebook to prove you are a local. Logistics are therefore a complete non-issue.

It is not acceptable the poor excuse that there is the need of big investments to attend foreign customers. There are lots of free resources for translations as Google Translate. There are also devices as PokeTalk. So, it is not true that it is more expensive to attend a foreigner that obliges to overcharge tourists, it is 100% a question of being or not willing to do so in a civilized manner, courteous manner, and Japanese, the good ones, have this reputation of striving to be the best, the number one, in excellence.

I'm a foreign resident. If I see any indication of dual pricing for tourists, then they will not get my custom. They seemed to be grateful for tourism after foreigners being locked out during covid, now this scam? Stupidity on steroids

Since its opening in April, the restaurant has charged foreign tourists 7,678 yen for an all-you-can-eat and drink seafood buffet for a weekday dinner, while Japanese and foreigners living in Japan can have the same meal for 1,100 yen less.

Curious. How are they distinguishing the tourists from foreigners living in Japan? Do we have to produce our "My Number Card"? Meanwhile, people who naturally look Japanese are given the benefit a direct pass?

Or do they have separate areas to enter like they do they at Narita or Haneda.

What's next? Fast Pass system for Japanese nationals? It's easy to see where this missile ends. It will end in open racism.

If It's ok to inflate the prices, but when the yen exchange rate falls, will the prices on the menus change accordingly? When I go ack to Japan next year, I'll be aware of what the prices are roughly, and if I think theve hiked up the price, I will simply leave, then they will loose out . So vote with your feet folks, that might be a bit more difficult if you need or want to see a big tourist attraction, like a castle etc

Failure of doing business if you have to scam. Doesn't matter where

The Japanese government should eliminate the consumption tax exemption for foreign visitors. Japan doesn't need to give away money in order to attract tourists.

As a foreigner living in Japan, I am finding it too expensive to eat out recently. Tourists benefit from the cheap yen and find the prices rather cheap so I have no problem supporting dual pricing.

Yonemitsu said the restaurant has had to hike wages to hire English-speaking staff and also faces costs training them to serve foreign customers.

Would they not also have to face costs to train Japanese staff to serve customers? Lame excuse.

Just a big iiwake - lol at the restaurant owners saying it costs more to 'hire English speakers' nado. That right there is a lie because already stores and restaurants throughout Tokyo to give one example employ foreigners, often international students, who already speak good Japanese and English.

Foreign staff in conbini have to do a lot more tasks than staff serving in restaurants and they're under non stop pressure as conbini are so busy. They do exactly the same as Japanese employees and get paid the same wage.

Stop the horseshizz 'arguments for'. This is just a cynical money grab. LOL if anybody wants to have to pull out their ID in a country they live/work in when they go out to eat to prove they're not a tourist, feel free. Others like me will be giving their yen to businesses that deserve it and don't pull that bull.

Does Japan think they are the only country overrun with tourist. A recent article here in the US have found this problem to be universal. This includes many cities and national parks in this country. Barcelona is one of the cities listed in the article as well as Paris (before the Olympics. I believe this tourism issue is the result of the Covid lockdowns when people were pretty much restricted in their travel. I feel this tourist issue will slowly go away when people have got some of the travel out of their system and probably money out of their wallet. Japan has already increased the cost of the rail pass significantly which only affects tourist and not foreign residents who hold a resident card

Once the foreign media picks up this story, Japan might realize how poor a decision it was and the potential backlash that could ensue. Personally, I've lost respect for what I once saw as a principled culture.