Japan Considering Expansion of Duty-Free Products For Tourists

Above, a duty-free home electronics store in Akihabara's "Electric Town."  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japanese government is considering expanding the number of goods for duty-free sales to tourists.

According to an article at Globalpost.com:

The Japanese government will consider expanding the range of duty-free products for foreign tourists in a bid to bolster consumption and the economy, Finance Minister Taro Aso said Tuesday. 

As part of fiscal 2014 tax reform, the Japan Tourism Agency has proposed the addition of foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, pharmaceutical products and cosmetics to a list of tax-exempt items for foreign travelers who have fill out necessary documents at duty-free shops in the country.

I've noticed quite a number of duty-free shops in Tokyo (although I am sure they're in other cities as well). Generally, the duty-free system in Japan works this way:

Overseas visitors in Japan with temporary status who spend more than 10,001 yen on any given day in one shop are entitled to a refund of the 5% consumption tax. Only department stores and specialty shops used to dealing with foreign tourists offer the refund, and clients must show their passports. No refund is granted for cosmetics, food, alcohol, cigarettes, medicine, film and batteries, which include the consumption tax in their price tag. 

Source: Japan National Tourism Organization 

Duty-free stores definitely come in handy if tourists wish to purchase electronics and cameras (and other goods) while in Japan.

To read the full article, go here.