The destination will host the Rugby World Cup around Japan this autumn followed by the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics next year.

The so-called "sayonara tax", which is being added to airfares, is set at 1,000 yen (around US$9). The Japanese government says the money raised will be used on improving infrastructure and promoting the destination around the world, including highlighting rural regions of the country.

Japan has ambitious plans to increase international tourism arrivals – the country hopes to increase visitor numbers to 40 million in 2020 and then to 60 million by 2030. Last year, there were a record 30 million international visitors to Japan.

The departure tax applies to both international and Japanese travellers departing by both aircraft and ship but excludes children under two and transit passengers spending less than 24 hours in Japan.