As part of the effort to boost regional economies, the Japan Tourism Agency plans to seek an exemption for domestically produced alcoholic drinks such as sake from the liquor tax when purchased by foreign tourists, agency officials said Saturday.
The agency will call for the exemption when the Finance Ministry begins receiving annual requests from government offices for tax changes in the next fiscal year starting in April, according to the officials.
The measure is intended make made-in-Japan sake, shochu (distilled spirits), wine, beer and whisky more attractive to overseas visitors due to the lower rates and thus grow demand for such products amid recent lackluster sales.