With foreign tourism to this country increasing exponentially, it's a prime time for Japan to consider revamping its maritime policies for foreign private boats visiting the country.
Whereas the sky offers airways for planes coming into Japan, the sea is the highway for passenger vessels such as sailboats, motor cruisers and superyachts. Although Japan doesn't release figures, there are hundreds of private yachts with crews who enter Japan on the same tourist visas as their aviating counterparts. Unfortunately, the process is much more complicated for seafarers.
Unlike countries that encourage cruisers to come and enjoy their marine wonders, Japan has no system in place for admitting small craft into its waters. As a result, pleasure boats are, across the board, treated the same as commercial ships.