There is no way we will support a 'sayonara' tax for tourists leaving Japan.

So to get more tourists through PR and the like, you are going to impose a punitive tax on them! This is something only Japan would think of. And really, we all know that this tax will not be used for PR, it will go to building more useless roads and bridges all to keep the major corporations and Abe happy!

What is this? You have to pay to leave?

Remember when the govt. offered a one-off cash payment to encourage second- and third-generation Japanese people from S. America, to relinquish their rights to residency, go away and never come back?

What would happen if I didn't pay it? Would they stop me from leaving the country?

For the record many countries already have a departure tax ( often included in the airfare). Nothing new here.

Cash at the apt does leave a bad taste though (used to be the case in bali) that's why most countries ask airlines to include it in their fares these days.

Japan did have that ridiculous airport tax, ¥2,000 per person. It is just tacky and expensive and leave a bad taste for a visitor to Japan. Nothing is good about that method. Kind of like expressway tolls; wastes fuel, causes incredible traffic messes that affect everyone. I'd rather just have some kind of other stupid tax instead of having to stop for tolls! I think the gasoline/diesel and time savings would be worth it.

These government dunces need to think outside the box........call it an "hasta la vista" tax and give a free shot of tequila on a glass with Arnold schwarznegger face emblazoned on the side....people will be queuing to leave!

Had totally forgotten about the airport tax. I believe Kansai's was something like 3500 or 4000 yen. Ridiculous. Just as this idea is. Bad enough they ARE going through with a tax exit plan for foreigners who have lived here. I know, how about you tax able bodied dependant's spouses rather than continue to give them tax breaks and benefits the country can't afford. Just a common sense suggestion...

@tmarie - what's this about a new tax for foreigners who have lived here?

Rather than introducing an identifiable tax on tourists that will cause resentment, how about simply having them pay the consumption tax like everyone else in the country?

For some reason, tourists can now claim back the shouhizei on anything, groceries included, over 5000 yen. I've never visited another country where two six packs of beer and some snacks were duty free for tourists only.

The basic idea that tourists are there to make money from is one I wholeheartedly agree with. I get the impression some in the Japanese government, especially the tourist sector, simply think higher numbers of tourists are all that matters. There is little point spending public money on PR to get thousands more Asians on 10,000 yen-a-day trips if the margins are wafer thin or non-existent.

MarkX: "This is something only Japan would think of."

Agreed, 100% These morons don't realize they'd be shooting themselves in the foot with some tourists, too. I'd just LOVE to see how they want to market this idea.