Tag - passports

 
 

PASSPORTS

The Republic of Nauru is one of the world's smallest nations, with a total landmass of just 21 square kilometers.
ENVIRONMENT
Aug 9, 2025
Pacific microstate sells first passports to fund climate action
The remote Pacific nation has approved just six applicants since early this year, but officials say interest in joining the low-lying, largely barren island is increasing.
Japanese passport holders have visa-free access to 190 destinations out of 227 globally.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 24, 2025
Japan ties with South Korea for second most powerful passport
Japan continues to hold the world’s second most powerful passport — tied with South Korea — according to a new global ranking.
New Japanese passports will be printed using laser technology based on banknote printing techniques, making forgery more difficult.
JAPAN
Mar 24, 2025
Applications for forgery-proof passports start in Japan
Passports issued for applications submitted from Monday onward will feature a new design.
The weak yen is often cited as one reason why many Japanese don't go abroad.
JAPAN / Society
Feb 25, 2025
Only 17% of Japanese people own passports, Foreign Ministry says
Around 3.7 million passports were issued domestically in 2024, a 8.8% increase from the year before but down 15.2% from prepandemic numbers in 2019.
Passengers walk past a sign directing them to specific lines for EU and non EU passports as they arrive at Dublin Airport in Ireland in September 2019.
WORLD / Society
Jan 11, 2024
These are the world’s most powerful passports in 2024
A decade ago, the two countries shared the top spot, but comparing this year’s list to the 2014 ranking reveals some other major shifts.
BUSINESS
Dec 19, 2023
Japan’s travel industry urges people to get their mighty passports
Japan’s passport gives visa-free entry to 192 global destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / JAPAN TIMES GONE BY
May 5, 2023
Japan Times 1923: Many tourists ignore Japan passport rule
Stories about tourists and immigrants abound in editions of The Japan Times from 1923, 1973 and 1998.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2023
These are the best passports for travelers to hold in 2023
Japan starts the year with the world's most powerful passport, allowing visa-free entry to 193 global destinations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 27, 2021
The business case for vaccine passports
While several countries and regions are preparing to unveil systems of inoculation proof, vaccine passports have met resistance from some quarters.
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2020
Japan to improve how its passports show birth names of married citizens
The Foreign Ministry will change the way it records birth names in passports for those who adopt the surname of their spouse, in order to display both names more clearly, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jul 31, 2019
Passports, maiden names, brackets: Japan Foreign Minister Taro Kono wades into a minefield
When Foreign Minister Taro Kono wrote on Twitter that he would order his ministry to look into the contentious issue of maiden names on passports in response to a tweet in early June, he may not have been aware of the minefield he was about to step into.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 25, 2019
'Creeping annexation': Putin confronts new Ukraine leader with rebel-zone passports
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree offering passports to people in breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine, triggering calls for more sanctions against Moscow from the incoming leadership in Kiev.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2019
Gender-neutral Canadian activist shows solidarity with Japan's LGBT communities
Gemma Hickey entered Japan this week with something no Japanese national can obtain — a gender-neutral passport in which the gender category shows neither female nor male, but an "X."

Longform

Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?