社会｜パスポート申請、余裕を持とう！ / Society | Let’s Apply for Your Passport with Plenty of Time to Spare!

Summary

During a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno announced a reduction in passport application fees due to the implementation of the revised Passport Act.

The fee for a 10-year passport will be significantly lowered from 16,300 yen to 9,300 yen. However, he warned that due to congestion, it could take up to about a month from application to issuance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging those planning to travel abroad to apply early.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Chako: Hey Log, I heard the passport fees have gone down! But it seems like it’s going to be crowded.
Log: Yeah, I’m happy the fee is now 9,300 yen, but I heard it can take up to a month from application to issuance, so I need to apply early.
Chako: What? That long?
Navi: It’s expected that the processing will take time due to the crowding. By applying early, you should be able to get your passport smoothly.
Log: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also urging people to apply early, so anyone planning to travel should be careful.

Admin’s Note

The recent reduction in passport application fees is great news for many people; however, considering the potential for crowds and delays, it’s important to plan ahead and allow plenty of time. This is especially true for those planning to travel abroad, as I strongly recommend applying early. Additionally, the lower fees make it a bit easier to travel, which is another positive aspect. I encourage everyone to be organized in their planning and make their travel dreams a reality!