I was surprised to read that only 17% of Japanese citizens hold valid passports. I don’t know what I expected, but 17% seems like a small number. Currently 51% of Americans hold valid passports, up from 46% in 2023, and 30% in 2008.
I read that before the pandemic about a quarter of Japanese held valid passports. In addition to not traveling during the pandemic, the weak yen has compounded the issue. In the last five years the yen has lost a third of its value. My students tell me that they don’t often get a big enough block of time off from work to enable them to travel abroad. The one time in their lives that they do take a big international trip is for the honeymoon.
One of the good things about living in Japan is that even though this is a small country, there are countless beautiful, cultural, historical, and natural places to visit. When the yen gets stronger, I will think about traveling out of the country again, but for the time being, I’m happy to stay in Japan. In any case, I will keep my passport up to date.
At first, it surprised me, too. However, many things have changed recently. Many business people have Zoom meetings instead of going to visit each other. More people feel ashamed of flying and have become 'eco-friendly'. The yen is too weak to attract shopping trips abroad. These days, you can find foreign goods in Japan or order them online. Although it now takes longer (two weeks?) to get a passport, people may opt to apply for one only after they have booked the flight - "why have a passport if you are not going to leave the country?"
I was going to say, when you live in a country as beautiful as Japan, you have little reason to travel abroad - but the reasoning about not getting enough time off work is pretty sad!
5 comments:
As Rick would say, "Why would they want to leave?"
Hello Pamela: I find that number amazing, I would have thought that there would have been at least 50% holding Passports.
Catherine🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
At first, it surprised me, too. However, many things have changed recently.
Many business people have Zoom meetings instead of going to visit each other.
More people feel ashamed of flying and have become 'eco-friendly'. The yen is too weak to attract shopping trips abroad.
These days, you can find foreign goods in Japan or order them online.
Although it now takes longer (two weeks?) to get a passport, people may opt to apply for one only after they have booked the flight - "why have a passport if you are not going to leave the country?"
I am surprised too I remember there always being lots of Japanese tourists around NZ, especially down the South Island.
I was going to say, when you live in a country as beautiful as Japan, you have little reason to travel abroad - but the reasoning about not getting enough time off work is pretty sad!
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