We've all seen the dreamy side of travelling to Japan, the cherry blossoms, mouthwatering street food, and high-tech toilets. In fact, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 36.87 million foreign tourists in 2023 alone, and over half a million were Malaysians, the highest number of Malaysian visitors ever recorded.
But starting in 2028, there’s going to be a new step in the journey for Malaysians heading to the Land of the Rising Sun: a mandatory pre-screening process for visa-free travellers.
Photo via Business Today
According to Kyodo News, Japan is introducing a pre-arrival screening system that will apply to travellers from visa-exempt countries, including Malaysia, who are visiting for short-term stays. This move mirrors systems already used in other countries, like the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
If you’re planning to travel to Japan after 2028, you’ll need to submit personal and travel information, such as your name, purpose of visit, and where you’ll be staying, several days before your trip. This information will be reviewed by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency before you even board your flight.
The pre-screening is designed to detect potential issues before arrival. Travellers with a criminal record or a history of overstaying in Japan could be denied boarding.
Japan is still a visa-free destination for Malaysians, as long as your trip doesn’t exceed 90 days and is for purposes like tourism, visiting relatives, transit, or business meetings. However, with increasing tourist numbers and security concerns, Japan is taking a proactive approach to better manage entry into the country.
So if you’re dreaming of sushi and sakura in the future, just remember: starting 2028, a little extra paperwork will go a long way in keeping your trip smooth and stress-free.
