Japan aims to attract digital nomads to ease its over-tourism woes

Japan is seeking to attract digital nomads as a potential solution to its growing overtourism challenges. Major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are facing strain from rising tourist numbers, and local authorities hope that long-stay remote workers can bring economic benefits without the pressures associated with short-term mass tourism, as per a report by South China Morning Post.

Remote work has surged globally since the COVID-19 pandemic and Japan aims to capitalise on this trend by encouraging “workcations,” where individuals combine travel with professional commitments.

Japanese local authorities are promoting co-working spaces, streamlined visa options, and city guides tailored for long-term remote visitors. They hope this new type of traveller will help spread tourism more evenly across regions, reduce peak-time congestion, and support local businesses.

While Japan continues to grapple with the challenges of overtourism, officials see digital nomads as a segment that can contribute to the economy year-round without adding pressure to traditional tourist hotspots.

The change can reflect a broader global trend of countries redesigning travel strategies to accommodate remote work lifestyles while managing visitor flow sustainably.