As remote work gains in popularity, Japan aims to draw more digital nomads in hopes of giving local economies a boost amid demographic challenges.
Digital nomads work remotely, relying on technology to perform their job. The term gained popularity around the mid-2000s as remote work and internet accessibility became more widespread.
Travel information website A Brother Abroad estimates that there are approximately 35 million digital nomads worldwide. The average digital nomad also spends $22,500 annually, not including money invested in their own businesses, contributing to local economies.
With the introduction of a new six-month "Digital Nomad Visa" in March, Japan joined other countries in the region seeking to attract highly skilled remote workers. These policies are seen as a vital part of the country's broader strategy to address its aging population and slow economic growth.
The visa permits holders, along with their spouse and child, to remain in the country for up to six months, provided they make a minimum of 10 million yen (about $66,700).
After this period expires, they must wait another six months before reapplying.
Japan Digital Nomad Association executive officer Ryo Osera told The Japan News that the visa's creation is a "significant step" taken by the government while pointing out that the duration of the visa is shorter than in other countries in the region. It also precludes permit holders from signing a contract with local companies.
Osera called for a focus on attracting more long-term residents to Japan, a country facing both a super-aged society and a declining birth rate.
"It's much better to attract digital nomads who have the potential to contribute to the economy in the long run, looking 10 or 20 years ahead," he said.
Newsweek reached out to Japan's Foreign Ministry via email for comment.
Popular digital expat hub Thailand grants a similar visa for up to 180 days at a time, though this can be renewed once before the recipient has to leave the country and reapply. In Indonesia, another top destination for digital nomads, bearers of the Remote Worker Visa can enjoy a full year's stay before having to reapply.
Regional governments in Japan have developed their own programs to lure foreign talent. Fukuoka, the largest city on Japan's southernmost main island, Kyushu, launched the "Colive Fukuoka" 2024 on October 1, with hundreds of digital nomads expected to participate.
Billed as a "month-long digital nomad retreat," Colive Fukuoka features seminars, meditation workshops, picnics, and trips to hot springs and sake breweries—designed to network professionals and showcase the city as an ideal location for remote work and leisure.
The central government has also supported new initiatives created by local governments and businesses, aiming to attract more digital nomads to the country.
The Japan Tourism Agency has picked five pilot projects to kick off in January, pledging 10 million yen each. The agency plans to review the impact on local economies and adjust where needed, according to The Japan Times.
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