EXCLUSIVE: Japan Tourism Agency Eyes Panel on Dual Pricing

Tokyo, March 19 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Tourism Agency plans to set up an expert panel to draft guidelines for a dual pricing system charging higher fees at tourist facilities for foreign nationals and visitors from outside the local areas, Jiji Press learned Thursday. Some municipalities have introduced a dual pricing system in response to a surge in the number of inbound visitors to Japan. The panel is expected to sum up key points from precedent cases for use by other municipalities. The agency will aim to draw up the guidelines as early as fiscal 2026. The purpose of dual pricing is to secure funds for the maintenance and management of tourist facilities and public transportation, as well as to implement measures against overtourism. In February this year, the western city of Kyoto announced its plan to introduce dual pricing for municipal bus fares in the city center. In March, the western city of Himeji raised the admission fee for Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to 2,500 yen for non-residents, while keeping it at 1,000 yen for residents. After discussions at the panel, the agency aims to present “a unified view on dual pricing,” a senior agency official said. The government plans to approve its next basic program to promote Japan as a tourism-oriented country at a cabinet meeting later this month. The program is expected to call for drawing up pricing guidelines for public facilities to realize sustainable tourism. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]