At the end of 2024, only 17.5% of Japanese nationals held passports, significantly lower than in other advanced economies. Rising overseas costs and waning travel interest among younger generations contribute to this trend. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported 21.64 million valid passports, with 3.82 million issued in 2024, slightly up from 2023 but down by about 700,000 from pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Approximately half of the passports went to individuals under 30, while those 60 and older accounted for 13%. — news from Nikkei Asia
