Japan eyes revamp to way tourists are reimbursed for tax-free sales

Tourists would be repaid for taxes at airports, not at point of sale, to fight fraud

20231124N Tax free store Japan REUTERS

Pedestrians cross a street in front of a tax-free store in Tokyo. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is considering an overhaul to the way tourists make tax-free purchases, Nikkei has learned, in a bid to stop abuse of the system.

Currently, tourists in Japan have the consumption tax deducted when purchasing items at special duty-free stores and sales counters. But some people take advantage of system and resell products within the country.

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