Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a visa exemption policy allowing citizens of 74 countries and territories to enter the country without prior visa applications.

The policy, designed to boost tourism, business, and social travel, permits stays varying from 15 days for Indonesians and Thais to 90 days for most others.Notably, only three African nations—Lesotho, Mauritius, and Tunisia—are included in the list, leaving most of the continent excluded.

Eligible travelers must hold ICAO-compliant passports or machine-readable ones, except Uruguayan citizens using a new passport issued after April 2025.The full list includes countries like Andorra, Australia, Canada, and others, with Africa's representation being limited.This update aligns with similar policies by nations like Canada and the UAE, reflecting global trends in simplifying travel protocols.