Tag: Japan
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Kunashir Island: The Island Where Russia and Japan Almost Touch
Imagine standing on a Russian island and looking across the sea towards Japan. On a clear day, the Japanese island of Hokkaido is visible on the horizon. The two countries are separated by just 16 kilometres of water, yet more than 80 years of unresolved history lie between them. Welcome to Kunashir Island, one of…
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Japan Triples Departure Tax as Overtourism Grows
Travelling to Japan just became a little more expensive. As of 1 July 2026, Japan has increased its International Tourist Tax, commonly known as the departure tax, from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per traveller. The fee applies to everyone leaving Japan, including foreign visitors and Japanese citizens, and is typically included in the price of airline…
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Japan’s Population Problem: What Happens When a Country Starts to Shrink?
Japan is often seen as a glimpse into the future. The country is famous for its cutting-edge technology, efficient transportation, and some of the world’s safest cities. Yet behind the neon lights of Tokyo and the bullet trains racing across the country lies one of the most significant demographic challenges of the 21st century. Japan’s…