From March next year, it will be possible to pay online in three countries, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and Singapore, for the fees that Japanese people pay when renewing their passports at overseas diplomatic missions.
Currently, when Japanese nationals carry out procedures such as renewing their passports overseas, it is necessary to pay the handling fee in cash at the counter of the diplomatic mission abroad.
The government decided to partially revise the ordinance at the cabinet meeting on the 20th so that these fees can be paid online using a credit card without going to the counter.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, online payments will be introduced in three countries, the United Kingdom, Thailand and Singapore, from March 27 next year, and will be gradually expanded to other diplomatic missions overseas.
At a press conference, Foreign Minister Hayashi said, "Based on the movement toward cashless payments in Japan and overseas, we will promote online processing to further improve convenience and streamline administrative work."