TOKYO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Japan's revenue from a departure tax collected from travelers in fiscal 2024 hit a record high amid a rapid increase of foreign visitors on the back of a weaker yen, local media reported Monday.
Although the tax revenue for the full fiscal year ended in March has yet to be calculated with final receipts gathered by the end of May, the total has already reached 48.1 billion yen (about 337 million U.S. dollars), Kyodo News reported, citing the Finance Ministry.
The figure surpassed the previous record of 44.3 billion yen in fiscal 2019, it said.
Japan imposes an International Tourist Tax of 1,000 yen on all people, including Japanese, who exit the country. The tax is added to ticket fees for airplanes and cruise ships departing from Japan.
The government and ruling parties have been considering raising the departure tax rate amid growing calls to promote tourism further and address overcrowding at tourist sites. ■