In her general policy speech delivered on February 20, 2026, at the opening of the 221st session of the National Diet, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that her government will soon introduce a bill to establish the electronic travel authorization system “JESTA”.
Japan has officially adopted the name “JESTA” (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for its upcoming electronic travel authorization system, which will apply to nationals from visa-exempt countries. Modeled after the U.S. “ESTA” system, JESTA is set to be launched by 2028.
Originally slated for 2030, Japan’s electronic travel authorization system, temporarily named “JESTA”, is now expected to launch by fiscal year 2028. The program will apply to travelers who currently enjoy visa-free entry and is aimed at improving the management of incoming travel flows.
Initially planned for the long term, electronic travel authorization for Japan may see the light of day sooner than expected. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his intention to accelerate the implementation of the Japanese version of ESTA, in order to better control the arrival of travelers. This is a
