Japan is planning a new mandatory visitor authorisation scheme modelled on the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) in the US.
Tentatively called Jesta, the system - to be introduced by 2030 - will require visitors from visa-exempt regions and countries to declare certain personal information before entering the country, such as the reason for their visit and where they will be staying.
If a visitor is flagged by the system to be at risk of overstaying illegally, he or she will be required to obtain a regular visa.
Currently, visitors from 71 countries and regions do not need a visa to stay in Japan for between 14 and 90 days. These countries include Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia and Australia.
Thailand plans to introduce a similar ETA electronic authorisation scheme for visitors in 2025 and is leading moves to launch a Schengen-style ETA which, along with Thailand, would cover Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.