Japan has announced plans to roll out a stricter online screening system for foreign visitors in an effort to eliminate illegal immigration entirely. The system, modeled after the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), will be operational by fiscal year 2028, according to Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki. 

At a news conference last week, Suzuki said “strong measures” were necessary to address increasing concerns over poor behavior by some foreign visitors. The new electronic screening system will apply to citizens from 71 countries currently exempt from visa requirements for short-term visits. 

Travelers will be required to submit their information online before boarding a flight to Japan. Those found to have criminal records or prior violations of Japanese immigration law will be denied authorization and barred from entry.

Similar programs are already in place in countries such as Canada and New Zealand, and the European Union is set to introduce its own version in 2026.

The Asahi Shimbun reported that Japan’s planned system includes seven key policy objectives aimed at keeping foreign nationals with criminal histories out of the country. It will also streamline the deportation process for those denied refugee status. By the end of 2024, 2,122 foreign nationals had received final deportation orders. The government hopes to significantly reduce this number by the end of fiscal year 2030.

The program will also be expanded to include sea travelers in addition to air passengers. Additionally, it is expected to enhance Japan’s ability to process refugee applications through electronic vetting. Japan has long faced scrutiny for its low acceptance rate of asylum seekers.