The Japanese passport currently ranks second globally in terms of power, tied with South Korea, according to the Henley Passport Index’s third quarter 2025 rankings. The index measures the number of destinations citizens can access visa-free.
Japanese passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 190 out of 227 global destinations, second only to Singapore, which currently holds the number 1 position with 193 visa-free destinations.
From 2018 to 2024, Japan held the top spot for 7 consecutive years. Japan has also held the number 1 position more times than any other country, followed by Denmark with 6 times. Countries like Singapore, Germany, and Finland have each held the top spot 5 times. Since the survey began in 2006, Japan has consistently remained in the top 10, with its lowest ranking being 6th in 2010.
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The Japanese passport ranks second globally according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index. Photo: Ariana News |
The Japanese passport ranks second globally according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index. Photo: Ariana News
The Japanese passport grants its citizens access to most continents worldwide: from the European Union, the UK, North, Central, and South America, to the Gulf states, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania.
Experts attribute Japan's high passport ranking to several factors: its status as a developed nation, its positive diplomatic relations with many countries, its stable political environment, and its economic strength. These factors contribute to a positive international image, facilitating easier travel for its citizens.
Additionally, Japanese citizens are generally considered low-risk travelers due to their very low crime and illegal immigration rates. This makes many countries willing to grant them visa-free access.
Mark Hasegawa, a Japanese citizen studying at Oxford University in the UK, shared on the popular forum Quora that many Japanese people don't feel the need to live abroad due to Japan's development and high quality of life. They are also accustomed to their own culture, and living abroad can create discomfort, from food to entertainment. Hasegawa, who has worked for years in the UK and US, still plans to return to his homeland in his old age.
The world's most powerful passports in 2025
"There are many reasons why Japanese people are trusted to return home after traveling, rather than staying illegally," Hasegawa explained as to why many countries grant visa-free access to Japan. Despite having the second most powerful passport, Japan ranks low (67th) in the "openness" index, with only 73 countries allowing visa-free entry. African countries like Burundi, Mozambique, and Kenya are the most "open," granting visa-free access to 198 out of 227 countries and territories worldwide. According to Henley & Partners, the current global trend is towards "greater openness, easier movement, and increasingly valuable passports." The ranking, published annually since 2006 by the London-based citizenship and residence advisory firm, is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The ranking calculates passport strength based on the number of visa-free destinations, covering 199 passports and 227 destinations. Anh Minh (Henley & Partners, Quora, Japan Times) |
