Japan Tightens Visas for Russians Amid Tourism Surge
Japan has tightened visa requirements for Russian citizens amid a sharp increase in Russian tourism, requiring original documents with wet signatures and official seals, leading to longer processing times.
Consensus
- Japan has tightened visa requirements for Russian citizens.
- Original documents with wet signatures and official seals are now required.
- Processing times for visas have increased.
- The number of Russian tourists visiting Japan has significantly increased from 2021 to 2025.
- All applicants, including family members, may now be required to submit full financial and personal documents.
- The changes were implemented after a surge in Russian tourism.
Points of divergence
- The number of Russian tourists in Japan grew approximately 53 times from 2021 to 2015, from 3,7 thousand to 194,9 thousand people. — tg_dwglavnoe
- The number of Russian tourists in Japan was 3,7 thousand in 2021, 10,4 thousand in 2022, 42 thousand in 2023, 99,3 thousand in 2024, and 194,9 thousand in 2025. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
Coverage (2 sources)
- Japan Complicated Visa Issuance for Russian Citizens Amid Surge of Russian Tourists — DW Главное
- Japan will tighten visa issuance for Russians after sharp rise in tourist traffic — The Moscow Times