The Japan Tourism Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) held a “Joint Press Conference Aiming for 20 Million Overseas Travelers” on June 16. Part 2, the “JATA Overseas Travel Support Talk Show,” featured JATA Overseas Travel Ambassadors—actor and artist Takanori Iwata and comedian Tomonori Yasumura—as guest speakers.
Mr. Iwata was appointed as a JATA Overseas Travel Ambassador in March 2025. As part of his activities last year, he released videos filmed in Hawaii and New Zealand on JATA’s official YouTube channel, and he also hosted a special talk event at “Tourism EXPO Japan 2025,” a travel festival held in Aichi Prefecture, his hometown.
This press conference, the second since he was appointed ambassador, featured a special session where participants learned about the reduced passport application fees taking effect on July 1 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ safety information service, “Tabireji.”
Following a greeting from JATA Chairman Hiroyuki Takahashi, Mr. Iwata took the stage and reflected, “In addition to visiting Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, and South Korea on my Asian tour from last year through this year, I’ve had many opportunities to travel abroad due to my work as an ambassador.”
Regarding the reduction in passport fees set to take effect on July 1, she welcomed the fact that the barrier to taking her first trip abroad would be lowered, saying, “If it’s 7,000 yen cheaper, I can use that money for airfare or meals at my destination. I could even go to a nice restaurant.”
Next, special guest Tomonori Yasumura—known for his cheerful personality—made an appearance in his signature swimsuit and announced that he would be participating in the event as “Tomonori Yasumura: The Cheap Passport.” He immediately performed his signature routine, “Don’t worry, I’m wearing (pants)!” for the international guests in the audience, bringing the house down.
The event featured a special session on how to apply for a new passport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Tabi-Regi” system. It was explained that by applying online, applicants need only visit the office once to pick up their passport, and thanks to system integration with family registry data, there is no longer a need to submit a paper copy of the family register.
In addition, it was noted that the new passports incorporate advanced anti-counterfeiting and anti-tampering technologies, such as a hologram that alternates between a photo of the holder’s face and their date of birth.
In an explanation of “Tabi-Regi”—a service that provides safety information in Japanese while traveling abroad—Mr. Yasumura shared an anecdote about how “an alarm went off at his hotel late at night, and because the announcements were in English, he couldn’t understand what was happening and nearly panicked.” He expressed his deep appreciation for a service that allows users to access the latest information in Japanese in an emergency.
In the final review quiz consisting of five questions, Iwata, who had been paying close attention throughout the class, answered every question correctly and won a world map as a prize. On the other hand, Yasumura, who was too busy goofing off and only scored one point, had to spend the entire day as a “super cheap passport” as a penalty.
Mr. Iwata concluded the event with the following message: “Traveling abroad offers experiences—including new perspectives, encounters, and inspiration—that you simply can’t get by staying in Japan. Since this is a great opportunity to get a passport, I hope people of all ages will take the chance to enjoy traveling overseas.”
The “More! Overseas” campaign, led by JATA and aimed at fully restoring demand for overseas travel, launched in March 2025. In 2026, the campaign will gain further momentum starting July 1, coinciding with a reduction in passport fees and the “Travel Safety Day” established by JATA.
The number of Japanese travelers abroad in 2025 is projected to be approximately 74% of the 2019 level (according to the Japan National Tourism Organization). While the passport ownership rate stood at 23–24% before the pandemic, it is expected to remain at 18.4% in 2025; the initial goal is to bring it back up to the 20% range.
Furthermore, to achieve the goal of attracting 20 million international visitors by 2030, as set forth in the “Basic Plan for Promoting Japan as a Tourism-Oriented Nation (5th Edition),” we will strengthen collaboration within the industry among travel agencies, airlines, and overseas tourism bureaus.
In addition to offering attractive travel products, such as cashback on passport application fees, the company says it will continue to work toward creating an environment that ensures safe and secure travel through “Tabiregi,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ free overseas safety information service.
© Source travel watch