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