The government has begun collecting a ¥1,000 departure tax — the first new permanent tax to be introduced in 27 years — on nearly every passenger, both foreign and Japanese nationals, departing the country.

The revenue from this new tax — estimated to reach ¥50 billion in fiscal 2019 — is to be used solely for promoting inbound tourism, which has been booming in recent years, with the number of inbound tourists topping 30 million for the first time last year.

The government, which hopes to boost the number to 40 million in 2020 and to 60 million in 2030, says the tax will help finance measures to improve services for these foreign travelers.