Japan reduced the application fee for 10-year passports from ¥16,300 to ¥9,300 starting July 1, 2024 [1].
The price drop aims to lower the cost of international travel and encourage citizens to apply before the summer peak. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the surge in demand could cause significant processing delays.
Under the new system, the five-year passport option has been discontinued [1]. For those applying for a 10-year passport via window service, the cost is now ¥9,300 [1]. Applicants who use the online application system receive an additional discount of ¥400 [1]. For passports with remaining validity, the renewal fee is ¥5,800 [2].
These changes have already created long queues at government offices. A reporter from TBS NEWS DIG said that lines were wrapping around the building before the Tokyo Passport Center even opened at 9 a.m. [1]. Some applicants reported taking time off work specifically to secure the lower rate. One company employee said they waited until July to apply because their passport expired in April [1].
Processing times are expected to fluctuate. While the usual turnaround for a passport is about two weeks [1], the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the current surge could extend that period to about one month [1]. The ministry said it was concerned regarding how these delays might impact travel plans for the summer season [3].
“The five-year passport option has been discontinued.”
The consolidation of passport options into a single 10-year term, coupled with a significant price reduction, represents a shift toward simplifying travel documentation. However, the timing of the rollout—coinciding with the start of the summer travel season—creates a logistical bottleneck. The potential for a 100% increase in processing time suggests that the administrative infrastructure may struggle to absorb the immediate demand generated by the lower costs.
