Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are feeling the pressure of growing tourist numbers, and local authorities are looking to attract long-term remote workers as a way to boost the economy while avoiding the strains of short-term mass tourism, according to the South China Morning Post.

Remote work has surged worldwide since the Covid pandemic, and Japan is seeking to capitalize on this trend by promoting “workcations.”

However, many other countries already offer digital nomad visas that allow one- or two-year stays, noted Ryo Osera, an executive member of the Japan Digital Nomad Association.

The association has proposed the government to make longer visas for digital nomads in Japan.

To attract long-term visitors, the country is introducing streamlined visa options, access to co-working spaces, and specialized city guides, Travel and Tour World reported.

These initiatives aim to make it easier for digital nomads to live and work in Japan for extended periods.

Asia is gradually becoming a top destination for digital nomads with many countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea offering special visa policies, allowing them to work remotely while exploring local landscapes and cultures.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan from January to September rose 17.7% from a year earlier to 31.65 million, marking the fastest pace on record for surpassing 30 million within a year.

The annual number is forecast to surpass the record 36.87 million hit in 2024 and may even reach the 40 million range amid a weak yen and a surge in Chinese tourists, Japan Times reported.